Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2011; 17(31): 3565-3566
Published online Aug 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i31.3565
A tribute to Dr. Frank I Tovey on his 90th birthday
Lian-Sheng Ma
Lian-Sheng Ma, Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited, Beijing 100025, China
Author contributions: Ma LS solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Lian-Sheng Ma, President and Editor-in-Chief, World Series Journals, Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited, Ocean International Center, No. 62 Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100025, China. l.s.ma@wjgnet.com
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Received: August 9, 2011
Revised: August 11, 2011
Accepted: August 14, 2011
Published online: August 21, 2011
Abstract

This paper pays a tribute to Dr. Frank I Tovey on his 90th birthday which happens on September 1, 2011, and briefly describes the major findings in his research career and contributions as follows. The geographical prevalence of duodenal ulceration is related to staple diets. Unrefined wheat and maize, soya, certain pulses and millets are associated with a low prevalence while refined wheat, maize and rice, yams, cassava and green banana with a high prevalence. Predominant foodstuffs from low prevalence areas are ulceroprotective in rat peptic ulcer models. The protective activity lies in the lipid fraction present in these foodstuffs. The lipid fraction also promotes ulcer healing, is active both orally and intramuscularly and is ulceroprotective against non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The phospholipids and phytosterols present in the lipid have been identified to be responsible for this protective activity. The combination of phospholipids and phytosterols may be of value in the prevention and treatment of duodenal ulceration and protection against the ulcerogenic effect of NSAIDs.

Keywords: Duodenal ulceration; Staple diets; Protective factors; Phospholipids; Phytosterols; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Helicobacter pylori