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Hormones and the Kidney
BOOK REVIEWS
559
Chemicals Codex of the Food Protection Committee. National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council Publ. 1043, Washington 1965. pp. 77 (April). $25*. Part VII of the Codex contains a further set of monographs prescribing minimum identity and purity specifications for food-grade chemicals. The first six parts of the Codex have been reviewed in previous issues of Fd Cosmet. ToxicoL (1964, 2, 317 & 769; 1965, 3, 156 & 368). The following chemicals are covered in Part VII: Acacia; agar; ambrette seed oil; bois de rose oil; calcium ascorbate; calcium iodate; calcium oxide; calcium peroxide; cananga oil; capric acid; caproic acid; caprylic acid; carrageenan; cascarilla oil; choline bitartrate; choline chloride; fumaric acid; geranium oil, algerian; glucono delta-lactone; guar gum; hops oil; karaya gum; laurel leaf oil; lauric acid; lavandin oil, abrial; lavender oil; locust bean gum; malic acid; myristic acid; oleic acid; palmitic acid; Peru balsam oil; propionic acid; silicon dioxide; sodium silicoaluminate; stearic acid; tragacanth; triethyl citrate. In the "General Tests and Apparatus" section, instructions for the estimation of total and acid-insoluble ash and of nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method are followed by procedures for the analysis of fats and related substances. The methods given are for the determination of acetyl, acid, hydroxyl, iodine and saponification values of the fats and for the content of unsaponifiable matter. Finally methylene blue indicator and several test solutions (cobaltous chloride T.S., methylene blue T.S., methylene red-methylene blue T.S. and MiUon's reagent) are defined. Hormones and the Kidney. Edited by P. C. Williams. Proceedings of the 89th Meeting of the Society for Endocrinology held at Cambridge, September 1962. Memoirs of the Society for Endocrinology No. 13. Academic Press, London-New York, 1963. pp. xii+387. 84s. This is an excellent collection of papers delivered at a colloquium on the occasion of the 89th Meeting of the Society for Endocrinology. The communications are of a high standard but, with few exceptions, are of interest mainly to the physiologist. The section on comparative aspects of renal function in water and electrolyte control has some interesting chapters, notably that describing electron-microscopic studies of the rat kidney during antidiuresis, diuresis and potassium depletion. Of considerable interest to the general reader is the paper by H. Wirz. Briefly but lucidly Wirz underlines the importance of the concept of "counter-current multiplier" as the basic intrarenal mechanism of salt and water absorption, a concept of which he has been one of the foremost protagonists. The contribution by P. Fourman dealing with the more general aspects of the effect of the parathyroid hormones on kidney tubules is equally interesting. The papers concerned with tests of parathyroid function were rather disappointing. The tests mentioned are old-established and well-known to the chemical pathologist; little is added to the significance of the results of these tests in the diagnosis of parathyroid disease. In particular, the old problem facing clinicians attempting to ascertain whether a case of renal failure with a high serum calcium is primarily due to parathyroid disease or to a primary kidney lesion is not discussed. On the whole, however, a satisfactory balance has been maintained between the sections dealing with the actions of hormones on the kidney and those sections dealing with the hormones produced by the kidney. Both sections, it is felt, are adequately treated. The con*This price is for all parts of the Codex and includes a durable ring-binder (see Fd Cosmet. Toxicol. 1964, 2, 198).
560
BOOK REVIEWS
siderable overlap between physiology, biochemistry and clinical medicine is especially noticeable in the relativelynew fieldof the role of the parathyroid on kidney function and serves to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinaryapproach ff any real progress is to be achieved in the biologicalsciences. Finally,mention should be made of the large sectionof the book concerned with crythropoietin.It begins with an account of the role of the kidney in erythropoiesisin the dog. This relationshipshould be borne in mind by all those who testpotentiallyrcnotoxic compounds in dogs and other species. Actions of Hormones on Molecular Processes. Edited by G. Litwack and D. Kritchevsky.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1964. pp. xi+583. 128s. This volume is a collection of original papers looking beyond the systemic effects of hormones on the human organism to the control exercised by them on molecular processes. The relationship between hormones and enzyme systems and the part played by hormones in the transport of substances across cell membranes are examined in detail. Within the general framework of this brief, the individual authors have been allowed the scope to think aloud in their own regions of interest. Typical of this attitude is a chapter on "Insulin and Lipid Metabolism" which the author describes as " . . . not only premature but outrageously presumptive". Of particular interest to those engaged in work with experimental animals are the references to the effects of hormones on rats and rabbits and also to the effect of removal of particular endocrine glands. The writing is lucid and the diagrams and tables well presented. Although primarily designed for the specialist, the book contains much which will prove of interest to biologists and toxicologists working in other fields. It is proposed to draw attention to some of the interesting consequences of the approach just described. Thyroid hormone actions are discussed in four chapters, one being an exhaustive survey of over 60 pages, with 454 references, covering every aspect of cellular and molecular events influenced by thyroxine, triiodothyronine and related compounds. The other chapter is brief, stimulating and confined to the ability of thyroxine to influence enzymes by chelating metals, by complex formation with pyridoxal phosphate, by dissociating the enzyme molecule, by forming a semiquinone radical that participates in various systems, by interacting with apoenzymes, by end-product inhibition, by affecting nucleotide metabolism.., and then the author concludes with the reassuring statement "By no means has the inexhaustible number of thyroxin-enzyme interactions been fully explored". Finally, protein synthesis and lipid metabolism in relation to thyroid hormones are dealt with in separate chapters. A somewhat similar treatment is accorded to insulin, with chapters on carbohydrate metabolism (a masterpiece of condensation), lipid metabolism and protein biosynthesis. Gonadotropic hormones, steroid hormones--especially cortisone, androgens and other sex hormones, all receive detailed attention in relation to their metabolic and particularly tt, eir enzymatic effects. The adaptive changes in enzyme activity induced by ghicocorticoids are well reviewed. Of outstanding interest are the chapters on catecholamines, their disposition and metaboric fate, their actions at the molecular level and the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline on metabolic systems. The phenolic, basi:, carbonyl-reacting, chelating, complexing and other binding functions are examined, providing much food for thought! Enough has been said to indicate what a debt of gratitude we owe to the editors of this extraordinarily valuable volume.
559
Chemicals Codex of the Food Protection Committee. National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council Publ. 1043, Washington 1965. pp. 77 (April). $25*. Part VII of the Codex contains a further set of monographs prescribing minimum identity and purity specifications for food-grade chemicals. The first six parts of the Codex have been reviewed in previous issues of Fd Cosmet. ToxicoL (1964, 2, 317 & 769; 1965, 3, 156 & 368). The following chemicals are covered in Part VII: Acacia; agar; ambrette seed oil; bois de rose oil; calcium ascorbate; calcium iodate; calcium oxide; calcium peroxide; cananga oil; capric acid; caproic acid; caprylic acid; carrageenan; cascarilla oil; choline bitartrate; choline chloride; fumaric acid; geranium oil, algerian; glucono delta-lactone; guar gum; hops oil; karaya gum; laurel leaf oil; lauric acid; lavandin oil, abrial; lavender oil; locust bean gum; malic acid; myristic acid; oleic acid; palmitic acid; Peru balsam oil; propionic acid; silicon dioxide; sodium silicoaluminate; stearic acid; tragacanth; triethyl citrate. In the "General Tests and Apparatus" section, instructions for the estimation of total and acid-insoluble ash and of nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method are followed by procedures for the analysis of fats and related substances. The methods given are for the determination of acetyl, acid, hydroxyl, iodine and saponification values of the fats and for the content of unsaponifiable matter. Finally methylene blue indicator and several test solutions (cobaltous chloride T.S., methylene blue T.S., methylene red-methylene blue T.S. and MiUon's reagent) are defined. Hormones and the Kidney. Edited by P. C. Williams. Proceedings of the 89th Meeting of the Society for Endocrinology held at Cambridge, September 1962. Memoirs of the Society for Endocrinology No. 13. Academic Press, London-New York, 1963. pp. xii+387. 84s. This is an excellent collection of papers delivered at a colloquium on the occasion of the 89th Meeting of the Society for Endocrinology. The communications are of a high standard but, with few exceptions, are of interest mainly to the physiologist. The section on comparative aspects of renal function in water and electrolyte control has some interesting chapters, notably that describing electron-microscopic studies of the rat kidney during antidiuresis, diuresis and potassium depletion. Of considerable interest to the general reader is the paper by H. Wirz. Briefly but lucidly Wirz underlines the importance of the concept of "counter-current multiplier" as the basic intrarenal mechanism of salt and water absorption, a concept of which he has been one of the foremost protagonists. The contribution by P. Fourman dealing with the more general aspects of the effect of the parathyroid hormones on kidney tubules is equally interesting. The papers concerned with tests of parathyroid function were rather disappointing. The tests mentioned are old-established and well-known to the chemical pathologist; little is added to the significance of the results of these tests in the diagnosis of parathyroid disease. In particular, the old problem facing clinicians attempting to ascertain whether a case of renal failure with a high serum calcium is primarily due to parathyroid disease or to a primary kidney lesion is not discussed. On the whole, however, a satisfactory balance has been maintained between the sections dealing with the actions of hormones on the kidney and those sections dealing with the hormones produced by the kidney. Both sections, it is felt, are adequately treated. The con*This price is for all parts of the Codex and includes a durable ring-binder (see Fd Cosmet. Toxicol. 1964, 2, 198).
560
BOOK REVIEWS
siderable overlap between physiology, biochemistry and clinical medicine is especially noticeable in the relativelynew fieldof the role of the parathyroid on kidney function and serves to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinaryapproach ff any real progress is to be achieved in the biologicalsciences. Finally,mention should be made of the large sectionof the book concerned with crythropoietin.It begins with an account of the role of the kidney in erythropoiesisin the dog. This relationshipshould be borne in mind by all those who testpotentiallyrcnotoxic compounds in dogs and other species. Actions of Hormones on Molecular Processes. Edited by G. Litwack and D. Kritchevsky.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1964. pp. xi+583. 128s. This volume is a collection of original papers looking beyond the systemic effects of hormones on the human organism to the control exercised by them on molecular processes. The relationship between hormones and enzyme systems and the part played by hormones in the transport of substances across cell membranes are examined in detail. Within the general framework of this brief, the individual authors have been allowed the scope to think aloud in their own regions of interest. Typical of this attitude is a chapter on "Insulin and Lipid Metabolism" which the author describes as " . . . not only premature but outrageously presumptive". Of particular interest to those engaged in work with experimental animals are the references to the effects of hormones on rats and rabbits and also to the effect of removal of particular endocrine glands. The writing is lucid and the diagrams and tables well presented. Although primarily designed for the specialist, the book contains much which will prove of interest to biologists and toxicologists working in other fields. It is proposed to draw attention to some of the interesting consequences of the approach just described. Thyroid hormone actions are discussed in four chapters, one being an exhaustive survey of over 60 pages, with 454 references, covering every aspect of cellular and molecular events influenced by thyroxine, triiodothyronine and related compounds. The other chapter is brief, stimulating and confined to the ability of thyroxine to influence enzymes by chelating metals, by complex formation with pyridoxal phosphate, by dissociating the enzyme molecule, by forming a semiquinone radical that participates in various systems, by interacting with apoenzymes, by end-product inhibition, by affecting nucleotide metabolism.., and then the author concludes with the reassuring statement "By no means has the inexhaustible number of thyroxin-enzyme interactions been fully explored". Finally, protein synthesis and lipid metabolism in relation to thyroid hormones are dealt with in separate chapters. A somewhat similar treatment is accorded to insulin, with chapters on carbohydrate metabolism (a masterpiece of condensation), lipid metabolism and protein biosynthesis. Gonadotropic hormones, steroid hormones--especially cortisone, androgens and other sex hormones, all receive detailed attention in relation to their metabolic and particularly tt, eir enzymatic effects. The adaptive changes in enzyme activity induced by ghicocorticoids are well reviewed. Of outstanding interest are the chapters on catecholamines, their disposition and metaboric fate, their actions at the molecular level and the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline on metabolic systems. The phenolic, basi:, carbonyl-reacting, chelating, complexing and other binding functions are examined, providing much food for thought! Enough has been said to indicate what a debt of gratitude we owe to the editors of this extraordinarily valuable volume.