Analysis of Sterols and Other Biologically Significant Steroids provides the fundamental training for the analysis of selected sterols and steroids. The book is composed of chapters that review the spectroscopic and chromatographic properties of certain sterols and steroids. The text also teaches how to isolate and characterize sterols and steroid metabolites of plant, fungal, and insect origin. Lipoprotein analysis and the utilization of physical-analytical techniques are likewise provided. Biochemists, microbiologists, and medical physiologists will find the book useful.
The Biology of Cholesterol and Related Steroids focuses on the study of sterols in relation to living organisms. The publication first takes a look at the analysis of sterols and related steroids and the distribution of sterols and related steroids in nature, as well as the processes of extraction and separation and presence of sterols in plants, fungi, vertebrates, and invertebrates. The text then ponders on biosynthesis of sterols and metabolism of cholesterol. Topics include formation of fatty acid esters of cholesterol, steroid hormones, biosynthetic pathway to sterols, reaction mechanisms, and comparative aspects of sterol synthesis. The manuscript examines the developmental aspects of cholesterol metabolism and sterols in biological membranes. The book also reviews cholesterol synthesis in animal tissues, sterol metabolism in isolated cells, and epidemiology of the plasma cholesterol. Discussions focus on selection of statistical populations, genetic influences, regulation of sterol synthesis, general aspects of sterol metabolism, and removal of cell cholesterol in vivo. The publication is a dependable source of data for biochemists and readers interested in the biology of cholesterol and steroids.
Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information on it Samuel Johnson, 18 April, 1775* Sterols are among the most studied groups of natural products with interest commencing in the 19th century and running to the present. Investigations have embraced the refinement of separation procedures, the development of new analytical techniques and instrumentation for structure elucidation, the unravelling of biosynthetic mechanisms, the determination of the physiological functions of sterols, and the role they play in health and disease. In the past 20-30 years interest in the medical implications of sterol biochemistry, studies on the sterols of plants, algae and fungi, and the identification of the many unusual sterols from marine organisms have proceeded in parallel and somewhat independently. Although the motiva tion and goals for the various lines of investigation have differed widely the researchers working in each of these areas have contributed a wealth of knowledge to the literature relating to the analysis of sterols and many diverse new sterols have been discovered. We conceived this book as a modest attempt to bring together some of this literature in the hope that it may be helpful to newcomers to sterol research. We had originally intended to produce a 'handbook' outlining in detail the protocols to be followed for sterol extraction, chromatography, NMR analysis, etc. in order to identify the components of a sterol mixture.
Neuroscience Perspectives provides multidisciplinary reviews of topics in one of the most diverse and rapidly advancing fields in the life sciences.Whether you are a new recruit to neuroscience, or an established expert, look to this series for 'one-stop' sources of the historical, physiological, pharmacological, biochemical, molecular biological and therapeutic aspects of chosen research areas.The last decade has seen tremendous advances in our understanding of the pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease. These will lead to the first generation of drugs aimed at prevention rather than cure. This book covers some of the most important and exciting of these advances, with chapters written by many of the leading researchers in the field.With genetic studies as a backbone to this volume many chapters are devoted to the function and regulation of amyloid b-protein precursor (APP) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Other chapters describe cell biological approaches helping to piece together the link between the genetic alterations and the phenotype we call Alzheimer's disease.Although APP and its proteolytic cleavage product, amyloid b-protein, do not answer all the questions, detailed research into this system has undoubtedly increased our knowledge of the pathobiology of AD and has lead to the identification of other risk factors. Understanding the role of ApoE in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease promises to open a whole new field in AD research.* * Reviews the current knowledge of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease from a clinical perspective to a genetic and cell biological perspective* A comprehensive description of the role of amyloid B-protein precursor in Alzheimer's disease.* Up-to-date research data* Clear illustrations complement the text
Molecular Structure and Biological Activity of Steroids focuses on the indentification of steroid structural features that control particular biological effects. Steroid geometry plays a critical role in steroid activity; therefore, the results of X-ray crystallographic, NMR spectroscopic, and theoretical studies on structure-activity relationships form an integral part of the book. Well-established observations and proposed models are presented, summarizing knowledge of molecular features (e.g., steroid backbone structures, side-chain constitutions, substitution sites, configurations, hydrogen-bonding patterns) that can affect steroid action. The book also provides overviews about recent progress in various frontier fields of steroid research, including such areas as sex steroids, glucocorticoids, aromatase inhibitors, vitamin D metabolites, brassinosteroids, neuromuscular blocking agents, and cardiotonic steroids. Molecular Structure and Biological Activity of Steroids is a "must-have" resource for biochemists, pharmacologists, endocrinologists, biophysicists, and others actively involved in steroid research.
This book provides a comprehensive description of sterols and their novel biological roles in mammalian signaling, the book covers their biosynthesis and structure, describes sterol receptor -mediated actions, their tissue distribution and their role in disease. It offers insight into new research findings, focusing specifically on novel discoveries in bile acid and oxysterol signaling, including the lanosterol-to-cholesterol intermediates. Special attention is paid on the sex distribution of these sterols (male or female) and their sexually dimorphic roles in mammalian species, such as human, rat and mouse. Since sterols and drugs (xenobiotics) use many identical receptor-mediated signaling pathways, the book will be interesting for researchers working on the cross-road of endogenous and xenobiotic metabolism, it is intended for advanced students and scientists in molecular biology and biochemistry as well as for medical doctors in hepatology.
Analyses food and biological samples of phytosterols and discusses plant sterol analysis with respect to functional foods. Investigates the safety of phytosterols and phytosterol esters and associated health risks, including potential impact on cancer development and the lowering of cholesterol levels. Details the chemistry, occurrence, and biological effects of phytosterol oxides.
Steroids are an important class of biomolecules with diverse roles and functions. Besides being important as structural and signaling molecules, these molecules hold promise against numerous disorders, including cardiovascular conditions, cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. Many investigations have demonstrated that steroidal frameworks may provide lipid solubility, receptor selectivity, or membrane binding properties to non-steroidal pharmacophores. However, the therapeutic use of steroids can be dangerous when they're used incorrectly. Additionally, misconceptions about steroids among athletes or recreational users can lead to steroid abuse and poor health outcomes. Steroids and their MedicinalPotential discusses the classification, distribution, biosynthesis, chemical synthesis, and semi-synthesis of different steroids. The medicinal potential of each class is exhaustively discussed in different chapters. The latest advances and developments in steroid-based drug discovery are also discussed thoroughly. The book aims to address general questions and concerns about steroids, providing readers with a useful resource on the subject. Key Features -Provides comprehensive coverage on all aspects of steroids including steroid chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal potential, drug discovery, and advances in target-binding interactions of steroid-based drugs -Includes chapters dedicated to anabolic steroids and their abuse -Designed as an accessible source of information for understanding steroidal drugs with structured chapters-Includes references for advanced readers.
This book comprehensively reviews several aspects of cholesterol oxidation products: cholesterol oxidation mechanisms, analytical determination, origin and content of these compounds in foods and biological samples, and their biological effects, with an emphasis on recent advances in these fields. Information on different aspects of phytosterol oxidation is reviewed. Little research has been conducted on the analysis of mixed sterol oxidation products. Mixed diets containing both cholesterol and phytosterols can contain a complex array of oxidation products generated from these sterols. Research into the problem of analyzing these complex mixtures of compounds is highlighted.
