The discovery of mammalian nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from L-arginine has led to a profound increase in our understanding of basic physiological and pathophysiological processes. The NO-dependent regulation of steroidogenic cytochromes P450, such as aromotase, and local, tissue-specific regulation of NOS isoform expression by sexual steroid hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, promises to provide new insights into the regulation of endocrinological processes. Research on the interaction between the NO and sexual steroid systems are likely to lead to novel therapeutic concepts for use in diseases associated with perturbations of the endocrine system.
Nitric oxide research has emerged as one of the most important areas in bone and joint diseases. First published in 1998, this book draws together knowledge on the actions of this mediator and its role in such common diseases as arthritis and osteoporosis. It introduces the basic biology and biochemistry of nitric oxide, the immune response and bone biology. It reviews in depth the facts we know today and the future promise of this exciting area of research. The book will give scientists and clinicians a unique insight into this increasingly important area. It also emphasises potential treatments which exploit our understanding of the role of nitric oxide in bone and joint disease.
Gasotransmitters-principally nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-are endogenous signaling molecules that play a significant role in the biomedical, clinical, and health sciences, as well as in population health studies. In Signal Transduction and the Gasotransmitters: NO, CO, and H2S in Biology and Medicine, a panel of distinguished researchers and clinicians review the biological and biomedical aspects of gasotransmitters, emphasizing their signaling transduction mechanisms in general, and ion channel regulation in particular. The authors discuss the endogeneous metabolism and regulation of gasotransmitters, their toxicological profiles and biological actions, and their interactions in terms of their production and effects. The physiological roles of NO, CO, and H2S in the regulation of the cardiovascular, neuronal, and gastrointestinal systems, as well as of cell metabolism, are also reviewed, along with the interaction of the gastrotransmitters with KATP,KCa voltage-gated Ca2+, voltage-gated Na+, and cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels. Included in the array of different mechanisms for the interaction of NO, CO, and H2S are channel phosphorylation, S-nitrosylation, carboxylation, sulfuration, and altered cellular redox status. The authors also offer guidance and suggestions for exploring and further characterizing other still unknown gasotransmitters. Authoritative and comprehensive, Signal Transduction and the Gasotransmitters: NO, CO, and H2S in Biology and Medicine offers clinical scientists and physicians not only a deeper understanding, but also a cutting-edge review, of the critically important field of gasotransmitter biology and medicine.
This book presents a clear and precise discussion of the biochemistry of eukaryotic cells, particularly those of mammalian tissues, relates biochemical events at a cellular level to the subsequent physiological processes in the whole animal, and cites examples of abnormal biochemical processes in human disease. The organization and content are tied together to provide students with the complete picture of biochemistry and how it relates to human diseases.
This volume argues for the importance of essential nutrients in our diet. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research on the relationship of Omega-3 fatty acids and the importance of antioxidants to human health. Expert authors discuss the importance of a diet rich in Omega-3 Fatty acids for successful human growth and development and for the prevention of disease. Chapters highlight their contribution to the prevention and amelioration of a wide range of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, obesity, mental health and bone health. An indispensable text designed for nutritionists, dietitians, clinicians and health related professionals, Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Keys to Nutritional Health presents a comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge about the nutritional effects of Omega-3 fatty acids and their delivery in foods.
As in so many fields of scientific endeavour following the molecular biology revo lution, our knowledge of the role of radicals not only in pathological states, but in basic physiology has developed exponentially. Indeed, our evolving concepts have, like so many political parties, been forced into dramatic "V-turns" and contortions. Within our working lives, we have had to debate whether radicals made any con tribution to any pathology, whilst now it is difficult not to entertain the view that every physiological process is pivotally controlled by exquisitely sensitive radical reactions. Inflammation is, of course, an example of pathology evolving from physiology, and in this book we have called upon both scientists and clinicians who have research interests in the complex switching mechanisms that sustain these transi tions. The book as a whole explores, from a physiological standpoint, how deter ministic radical systems sensitive to their initial conditions can interdigitate, iterate and feed back to control diverse cellular processes that create the inflammatory response. Whilst systems such as these to a mathematician would provide the basis for a chaotic response, one is forced to marvel how, for all stages of an inflammatory reaction, this system appears exquisitely controlled, making therapeutic manipula tion both possible and, to some extent, predictable.
An essential component of inflammation is the migration of circulating leukocytes from blood into tissues. This process is characterized by a multistep paradigm of sequential cell adhesion and activation events that lead to the extravasation of specific leukocyte subsets to different tissues in health and disease. The first step of leukocyte extravasation, the rolling of leukocytes, is primarily mediated by the interactions of selectins and their ligands. It has recently become evident that fucosyltransferases are crucial for selectin ligand synthesis, inflammation, and skin homing. This book provides an in-depth overview of the mechanisms of leukocyte trafficking and of the molecular mechanisms of selectin/selectin ligand interactions and discusses options for pharmacological intervention to treat inflammatory diseases.
Proceedings of a September 21-23, 2001 conference. The papers in this volume examine the basic biochemical pathways from hormone metabolism to immune and inflammatory responses, as well as the effects of cytokines and glucocorticoid interactions in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Additional papers study the CNS and stress response involvement in autoimmune diseases including SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). Included are two overview articles that review the basic and clinical progress made over the past ten years in understanding and treating the rheumatic diseases.
This updated second edition of Diagnosis and Management of Ovarian Disorders provides thorough, yet succinct insight into the ever-changing realm of ovarian disorders. It presents a novel multidisciplinary approach to the subject as described by clinicians, surgeons, pathologists, basic scientists and related medical researchers. Topics covered include reproductive technology, early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and management of menopause among others. The breadth of information provided by this book will appeal to clinicians and researchers involved in the study and treatment of ovarian disorders.KEY FEATURES* Includes updated information on early diagnosis of ovarian cancer* Reviews new diagnostic techniques for ovarian disorders* Discusses latest information on reproductive technology* Presents translational treatment linking laboratory research with clinical medicine
