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Drugs affecting lipid metabolism
Camp. Biochem. Physiol. Vol. 92A, No. 4, pp. 623-625, 1989 Printed
in Great
Britain.
Pergamon
Press plc
BOOK REVIEWS Paramecium-Edited by H.-D. Springer, Berlin. DM 248.
GORTZ
444
pp.
1988.
This multi-authored volume deals with the following topics regarding Paramecium: cytology; species concept and the breeding system; mating type inheritance; conjugation; mating type substances; cell cycle, regulation of cell mass, macronuclear DNA content; nuclear dimorphism and function; aging; organization and expression of the nuclear genome; immobilization antigens; mitochondria; electrophysiology; motor control of cilia; genetic dissection of the ion channel function; biochemistry of cilia; behavioural genetics in P. caudatum; chemokinesis; lysosome system; exocytosis, biogenesis, transport and secretion of trichocysts; cytoskeleton; endocytobiosis; endosymbionts of killer Paramecia; ecology. Paramecium can now be bred in bulk so that the biochemistry of selected parts of the body can be analysed. It is an excellent subject for electrophysiology and this, linked to genetic analysis of mutant ionic channels, provides insight into ion channel mechanisms. It is a complex animal and greater understanding of its physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and behaviour will improve our understanding of these subjects in themselves. The present volume provides an excellent, interesting and stimulating review of what is at present known about Paramecium and also suggests what needs to be done in the future. Neural Development and Regeneratio*Edited by A. GORIO, J. R. PEREZ-POLO,J. DE VELLISand B. HABER. 711 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 388. This publication is based on a satellite symposium of the American Society for Neuroscience and the International Society for Neurochemistry, May 1987. The main sections cover: (1) growth factors and hormones in development and ageing of neurons and glia. Growth factors and hormones determine the expression of the phenotype properties that characterize the different cell types. This has increased our understanding of the development of different glia cell types and the trophic effects of neurotransmitters. (2) Mechanisms of gene expression. The regulation of expression of myelin proteins and of nerve growth factor receptors has become amenable to direct chemical manipulation at the genome level. (3) Responses of nervous tissue to trauma. Following degeneration of a specific input, the vacated target area is reinnervated by sprouts from adjacent projections. The nature of the chemical signals stimulating this growth is discussed. (4) Neuronal endocrine-immune interactions, Nerve growth factor can have a mitogenic effect on some lymphoid cells. Particular attention is given to the innervation of lymphoid organs and the neuroendocrine control of lymphoid function. Lymphokines play a role in glial activation and proliferation. Although neurochemistry has concentrated in the past on metabolism and neurotransmission, the 72 papers in this book provide a useful account of the more complex neurochemical problems of the nervous system. Cellular and Molecular Basis of Synaptic Transmissioti Edited by H. ZIMMERMAN. 547 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 268. There is an introduction development and present
by Victor Whittaker on state of our understanding
the of 623
synaptic transmission. The multi-authored papers in the rest of the volume are grouped under topic headings: (I) structural organization of the synapse and dynamics of synaptic organization; (2) presynaptic regulation of transmitter synthesis and release; (3) structure and function of presynaptic ion channels; (4) molecular and functional organization of synaptic vesicles; (5) cotransmitters; cellular location, function and metabolism; and (6) neurotransmitter receptors, The book provides a good picture of the research front in this subject.
The Pharmacology of Lymphocytes-Edited by M. A. BRAY and J. MORLEY. 626 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 680. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 85. Lymphocytes (L) play an important role in the immune response and the development of acquired innate immune deficiency syndrome has focused attention on L physiology and pharmacology. The reviews in this volume are as follows: evolution, ontogeny and physiologic function of L; de novo expression of receptors on T cells; membrane events during L activation; intracellular events during L activation; generation and measurement of antibodies; monoclonal antibodies to L surface molecules on probes for L functions; Interleukin 1 production from various cells and measurement of its multiple biologic activities; production and measurement of Interleukin 2 and Interleukin 3; production and measurement of interferons; factors regulating IgI synthesis; generation, biology and assay of efferent lymphokines; L purification, growth, cloning and functional assays; screening strategies for detecting immunotherapeutic agents; selected autacoids as modulators of L function; lipid mediators and L function; thymic hormones and L functions; glucocorticosteroids; slow-acting antirheumatics; cyclophosphamide; lobenzarit (CCA); cyclosporins; muramyl dipeptides; antipurines and purine metabolism; isoprinosine and NPT 15392; bacterial and fungal products; non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--effect on L function; and future prospects for drug design of L modulators. This is a very interesting and important volume that will do much to focus attention on the strategies of future research on L.
Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism-Edited by R. PAOLETTI, D. KRITCHEVSKY and W. L. HOLMES.451 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $76.50. There have been three major advances in this area. (1) The direct association between drug induced reduction of plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol and the incidence of coronary disease in high risk populations. (2) Increased ease and speed in the measurement of blood or plasma cholesterol levels. (3) The development of inhibitors of HMG-CoA (hydroxymethyl-glutaryl CoA) reductase and ACAT (acylCoA: cholesterol acyltransferase) inhibitors that reduce plasma lipid levels after oral administration. This multi-authored volume surveys the biochemistry and physiology of lipids and cholesterol in normal and pathological conditions, as well as in animal models. The effects of treatment with benzafibrate, fenofibrate, etofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid derivatives and pantethine on lipid metabolism lipoproteins, atherosclerosis and cardiac disease are fully described.
in Great
Britain.
Pergamon
Press plc
BOOK REVIEWS Paramecium-Edited by H.-D. Springer, Berlin. DM 248.
GORTZ
444
pp.
1988.
This multi-authored volume deals with the following topics regarding Paramecium: cytology; species concept and the breeding system; mating type inheritance; conjugation; mating type substances; cell cycle, regulation of cell mass, macronuclear DNA content; nuclear dimorphism and function; aging; organization and expression of the nuclear genome; immobilization antigens; mitochondria; electrophysiology; motor control of cilia; genetic dissection of the ion channel function; biochemistry of cilia; behavioural genetics in P. caudatum; chemokinesis; lysosome system; exocytosis, biogenesis, transport and secretion of trichocysts; cytoskeleton; endocytobiosis; endosymbionts of killer Paramecia; ecology. Paramecium can now be bred in bulk so that the biochemistry of selected parts of the body can be analysed. It is an excellent subject for electrophysiology and this, linked to genetic analysis of mutant ionic channels, provides insight into ion channel mechanisms. It is a complex animal and greater understanding of its physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and behaviour will improve our understanding of these subjects in themselves. The present volume provides an excellent, interesting and stimulating review of what is at present known about Paramecium and also suggests what needs to be done in the future. Neural Development and Regeneratio*Edited by A. GORIO, J. R. PEREZ-POLO,J. DE VELLISand B. HABER. 711 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 388. This publication is based on a satellite symposium of the American Society for Neuroscience and the International Society for Neurochemistry, May 1987. The main sections cover: (1) growth factors and hormones in development and ageing of neurons and glia. Growth factors and hormones determine the expression of the phenotype properties that characterize the different cell types. This has increased our understanding of the development of different glia cell types and the trophic effects of neurotransmitters. (2) Mechanisms of gene expression. The regulation of expression of myelin proteins and of nerve growth factor receptors has become amenable to direct chemical manipulation at the genome level. (3) Responses of nervous tissue to trauma. Following degeneration of a specific input, the vacated target area is reinnervated by sprouts from adjacent projections. The nature of the chemical signals stimulating this growth is discussed. (4) Neuronal endocrine-immune interactions, Nerve growth factor can have a mitogenic effect on some lymphoid cells. Particular attention is given to the innervation of lymphoid organs and the neuroendocrine control of lymphoid function. Lymphokines play a role in glial activation and proliferation. Although neurochemistry has concentrated in the past on metabolism and neurotransmission, the 72 papers in this book provide a useful account of the more complex neurochemical problems of the nervous system. Cellular and Molecular Basis of Synaptic Transmissioti Edited by H. ZIMMERMAN. 547 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 268. There is an introduction development and present
by Victor Whittaker on state of our understanding
the of 623
synaptic transmission. The multi-authored papers in the rest of the volume are grouped under topic headings: (I) structural organization of the synapse and dynamics of synaptic organization; (2) presynaptic regulation of transmitter synthesis and release; (3) structure and function of presynaptic ion channels; (4) molecular and functional organization of synaptic vesicles; (5) cotransmitters; cellular location, function and metabolism; and (6) neurotransmitter receptors, The book provides a good picture of the research front in this subject.
The Pharmacology of Lymphocytes-Edited by M. A. BRAY and J. MORLEY. 626 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 680. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 85. Lymphocytes (L) play an important role in the immune response and the development of acquired innate immune deficiency syndrome has focused attention on L physiology and pharmacology. The reviews in this volume are as follows: evolution, ontogeny and physiologic function of L; de novo expression of receptors on T cells; membrane events during L activation; intracellular events during L activation; generation and measurement of antibodies; monoclonal antibodies to L surface molecules on probes for L functions; Interleukin 1 production from various cells and measurement of its multiple biologic activities; production and measurement of Interleukin 2 and Interleukin 3; production and measurement of interferons; factors regulating IgI synthesis; generation, biology and assay of efferent lymphokines; L purification, growth, cloning and functional assays; screening strategies for detecting immunotherapeutic agents; selected autacoids as modulators of L function; lipid mediators and L function; thymic hormones and L functions; glucocorticosteroids; slow-acting antirheumatics; cyclophosphamide; lobenzarit (CCA); cyclosporins; muramyl dipeptides; antipurines and purine metabolism; isoprinosine and NPT 15392; bacterial and fungal products; non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--effect on L function; and future prospects for drug design of L modulators. This is a very interesting and important volume that will do much to focus attention on the strategies of future research on L.
Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism-Edited by R. PAOLETTI, D. KRITCHEVSKY and W. L. HOLMES.451 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $76.50. There have been three major advances in this area. (1) The direct association between drug induced reduction of plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol and the incidence of coronary disease in high risk populations. (2) Increased ease and speed in the measurement of blood or plasma cholesterol levels. (3) The development of inhibitors of HMG-CoA (hydroxymethyl-glutaryl CoA) reductase and ACAT (acylCoA: cholesterol acyltransferase) inhibitors that reduce plasma lipid levels after oral administration. This multi-authored volume surveys the biochemistry and physiology of lipids and cholesterol in normal and pathological conditions, as well as in animal models. The effects of treatment with benzafibrate, fenofibrate, etofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid derivatives and pantethine on lipid metabolism lipoproteins, atherosclerosis and cardiac disease are fully described.