Editorial: Protection and healing in the digestive system and other tissues: Novel factors, mechanisms, and pharmaceutical targets

Damage to the surface layer of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by strong irritants, necrotizing agents or drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is a serious clinical entity that can ultimately lead to the development of a chronic stage, including peptic ulcer disease and, consequently, neoplastic changes, which requires greater effort from the side of pharmacotherapy and even surgery. The original term “cytoprotection” was pioneered by Andre Robert who discovered the protection of the gastric mucosa by endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) stimulated by intragastric administration of “mild irritants” or by exogenous PGs used at doses that induced this protective effect when administered in non-antisecretory doses. Later, most researchers focused on the mechanism and pharmacotherapy of gastrointestinal injuries and chronic gastroduodenal ulcers, more relevant to clinical gastroenterology. Both protection and healing are universal and can affect other then digestive tissues and even body organs nowadays defined as “organoprotection.” Therefore, our current Research Topic was dedicated to the latest developments in the field of injuries, protection and healing not only of gastrointestinal organs but also non-digestive cells and tissues. We have encouraged world-recognized experts working in that field to address this Research Topic focusing on understanding of mechanism of action of central and peripheral molecular regulators and pharmacological agents that provide new insights into the concept of injury, protection, and healing. OPEN ACCESS