In mammals, a robust physiologic system acts to maintain relative constancy of weight. A key element of this system is leptin. The nature of this "brain-somatic" cross talk is as yet poorly understood, but it is likely to have important implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
The scientific advances in the physiology and pathophysiology of adipose tissue over the last two decades have been considerable. Today, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipogenesis are well known. In addition, adipose tissue is now recognized as a real endocrine organ that produces hormones such as the leptin acting to regulate food intake and energy balance in the central nervous system, a finding that has completely revolutionized the paradigm of energy homeostasis. Other adipokines have now been described and these molecules are taking on increasing importance in physiology and pathophysiology. Moreover, numerous works have shown that in obesity, but also in cases of lipodystophy, adipose tissue was the site of a local low-grade inflammation that involves immune cells such as macrophages and certain populations of lymphocytes. This new information is an important step in the pathophysiology of both obesity and related metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Finally, it is a unique and original work focusing on adipose tissue, covering biology and pathology by investigating aspects of molecular and cellular biology, general, metabolic, genetic and genomic biochemistry.
Nowadays, adipose tissue is not only regarded as an organ of storage related to fuel metabolism but also as an endocrine organ involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, lipids and energy metabolism.These proceedings cover the nervous regulation of both white and brown adipose tissue mass. Different physiological parameters such as metabolism (lipolysis and thermogenesis) and secretory activity (leptin and other adipokines) are reviewed. The plasticity of adipose tissue (proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis) showing the presence of a neural feedback loop between adipose tissue and the brain, which plays a major role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, is discussed.Merging basic knowledge and various clinical conditions, this thorough review is of great interest to both scientists and physicians, in particular pediatricians, interested in obesity, endocrinology and nutrition.
Principles of Hormone/Behavior Relations, Second Edition, provides an introduction to the underlying principles of endocrine regulation of behavior, a newly emerging area of research within neurobiology and endocrinology. It addresses the properties of hormone/behavior relations, including the influence of family background, timing issues, neuroanatomical features, cellular mechanisms, and the importance of environmental context and evolution. This new edition incorporates critical advances in the field, also including increased coverage of hormonal influences on food intake, and on the cardiovascular system. The addition of entirely new principles provides further coverage of epigenetics and appetite. Thoroughly revised and updated, this book is an ideal resource for neuroscientists and researchers engaging in this rapidly expanding field of study. - Provides a unique structure where each chapter addresses a key principle that is illustrated by numerous basic experimental and clinical examples - Includes user-friendly features, such as boxed figures with extended captions and references, numerous clinical notes, and a comprehensive list of abbreviations - Contains numerous illustrations that highlight both the clinical and basic science information
This book covers topics that range from fundamental studies of DNA replication, chromosomal and nuclear function through growth factor control of endocrine tumor initiation and progression. The basic and translational insights gained from Hormonal Control of Cell Cycle will be of interest to those studying the biology of endocrine tumors as well as those deriving novel therapeutic approaches for these benign and malignant disorders.
A single volume of 41 articles, Hormone/Behavior Relations of Clinical Importance is an authoritative selection of relevant chapters from the Hormones Brain and Behavior 2e MRW, the most comprehensive source of neuroendocrinological information assembled to date (AP July 2009). The study of hormones as they impact the brain and, subsequently, behavior is a central topic in neuroscience, endocrinology and psychiatry. This volume offers an overview of neuroendocrinological topics, approaching the subject from the perspective of hormone-brain function, hormone-behavior relations, sex differences, and the impact on various diseases/pathologies. Many basic human behavioral functions are subject to the influence of hormones - sexual orientation, the experience of pain, fertility, immunity - as are clinical conditions such as diabetes, substance abuse disorder, eating disorders, PTSD, TBI, pain, Alzheimer's, stress/anxiety, affective disorders, and more. There is considerable commercial clinical potential in the study of hormones - drug companies are currently developing a Cholecystokinin (hormonal peptide) booster to reduce appetite in those who suffer from sever obesity, and catamenial epilepsy (features seizure exacerbation in relation to the menstrual cycle) is resistant to treatment by standard antiepileptic medications, but may be hormonally controlled. These issues and more are covered, and there is simply no other current single-volume reference with such comprehensive coverage and depth.Authors selected are the internationally renowned experts for the particular topics on which they write, and the volume is richly illustrated with over 150 figures (50 in color). A collection of articles reviewing our fundamental knowledge of neuroendocrinology, the book provides an essential, affordable reference for researchers, clinicians and graduate students in the area. - Offering outstanding scholarship, each chapter is written by an expert in the topic area and approximately 25% of chapters are written by international contributors (7 countries represented) - Provides more fully vetted expert knowledge than any existing work with broad appeal for the US, UK and Europe, accurately crediting the contributions to research in those regions - Heavily illustrated with 150 figures, approximately 50 in color, presenting the material in the most visually useful form for the reader - Fully explores various clinical conditions associated with the hormones and the brain (PTSD, TBI, Stress & Anxiety, eating disorders, diabetes, addictive disorders, Alzheimer's, affective disorders) - Broad coverage of disorders makes the volume relevant to clinicians as well as researchers and basic scientists
Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements is the summary of a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine in August 2013 to review the available science on safe levels of caffeine consumption in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements and to identify data gaps. Scientists with expertise in food safety, nutrition, pharmacology, psychology, toxicology, and related disciplines; medical professionals with pediatric and adult patient experience in cardiology, neurology, and psychiatry; public health professionals; food industry representatives; regulatory experts; and consumer advocates discussed the safety of caffeine in food and dietary supplements, including, but not limited to, caffeinated beverage products, and identified data gaps. Caffeine, a central nervous stimulant, is arguably the most frequently ingested pharmacologically active substance in the world. Occurring naturally in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cola nuts and cocoa pods, caffeine has been part of innumerable cultures for centuries. But the caffeine-in-food landscape is changing. There are an array of new caffeine-containing energy products, from waffles to sunflower seeds, jelly beans to syrup, even bottled water, entering the marketplace. Years of scientific research have shown that moderate consumption by healthy adults of products containing naturally-occurring caffeine is not associated with adverse health effects. The changing caffeine landscape raises concerns about safety and whether any of these new products might be targeting populations not normally associated with caffeine consumption, namely children and adolescents, and whether caffeine poses a greater health risk to those populations than it does for healthy adults. This report delineates vulnerable populations who may be at risk from caffeine exposure; describes caffeine exposure and risk of cardiovascular and other health effects on vulnerable populations, including additive effects with other ingredients and effects related to pre-existing conditions; explores safe caffeine exposure levels for general and vulnerable populations; and identifies data gaps on caffeine stimulant effects.
