The gastrointestinal
mucosa normally contains numerous surfactants such as phosphatidylcholine
that confer acid repelling properties. These surfactants help prevent the
auto-digestion of GI tract.
NSAIDs have long been recognized to induce gastrointestinal damage by disrupting the mucosal barrier and allowing back-diffusion of luminal acid into the mucosa. This penetrating acid induces the necrosis that is clinically manifested in GI bleeding, ulcers and perforations.
The pre-association of NSAIDs with phosphatidylcholine reduces NSAID-induced disruption of the acid barrier.
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