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Relaxing and contracting factors: A volume on the endothelium
Gen. Pharmac. Vol. 20, No. 5, pp. 711-714, 1989
Pergamon Press plc. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS Drugs Affecting Lipid MetaboUsm~Editcd by R. Paoletti, D. Kritchevsky and W. L. Holmes. 451 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $76.50.
logical actions, therapeutic indications, adverse effects, the perspectives for new CEB drug discovery. This book provides an excellent account of this important subject.
There have been three major advances. (l) 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.
Practical Pharmaceetkal Chemistry 4th Editine--A. H. Beckett and J. B. Stenlake. Part 1. 326 pp. 1988. Athlone Press, London. $55. Part 2. 602 pp. 1988. Athlone Press, London. $75. In this 4th edition the material has been brought up to date bringing in drugs, dosages and methods that are common to the UK, Europe and North America. The topics dealt with in volume i are chemical purity and its control; registration and assessment of medicines; theoretical basis of quantitative analysis; techniques of quantitative analysis; acidimetry and alkalimetry; titration in non aqueous solvents; oxidation-reduction titrations; precipitation and complexometric methods; solvent extraction methods; medicaments in formulations. Volume 2 has chapters on instrumental methods; general physical methods; analysis of drugs and excipients in the solid state; chromatography; electrochemical methods; spectrophotometry IS]; UV absorption S; atomic emission and absorption S; spectrofluorimetry; infrared S; NMR; Mass spectrometry; radiochemistry and radiopharmaceuticals; application of spectroscopic techniques to structural elucidation. The two volumes provide an excellent theoretical basis and practical details of procedures useful in the analysis of drugs and complex chemicals.
Magnesium in Clinical Practice--Jean Durlach. 360 pp. 1988. Libbey, London. £35, $68. This is an English translation by David Wilson of the original french text. The topics covered are as follows. Magnesium biology [biochemistry, cellular function, physiological function]; Mg metabolism [absorption, storage, excretion, regulation of Mg metabolism]; methods of evaluating Mg status; primary Mg defects [latent tetany, neuromuscular hyperexcitability, mitral valve prolapse, endocrine-humoral, osteo-articular, allergies, cardiovascular]; secondary Mg defects [chronic Mg deficiencies, chronic alcoholism, diarrhea, stress, diabetes, renal hypermagnesuria, tuhulopathies]; Mg overload; Mg and therapeutics; oral Mg therapy; parenteral Mg therapy. This book provides a very useful survey of an important element that is at present overshadowed by its colleague, calcium.
Comparative Nutrition--Edited by K. Blaxter and I. Macdonald. 264 pp. 1988. Libbey, London. £24. $47. This multi-authored volume contains reviews on: growth, reproduction and nutrition in primates and man; vertebrate digestion; energy exchange; nitrogen metabolism and protein requirement; lipid metabolism; vitamin C functions; bone minerals and fat soluble vitamins; salt and water metabolism; basal metabolic rates in man; obesity in animals; atherosclerosis in animals and man; infant nutrition; fibre in diet; retardation of ageing by diet; is man unique7 The reviews are concise but contain much interesting information. For example in amphibians, reptiles, the pigeon and chicken, the enzymes for the synthesis of vitamin C are present in the kidney. But in most birds and mammals it is synthesized in the liver. However the enzymes are not present in man, primates, bats, guinea pigs, and the redvented buibul. Ascorbate levels are reported to be lower in smokers, diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, and schizophrenia. The role of vitamin C in the antioxidant defence system, protection against lipid peroxidation, and as a free radical scavenger are also discussed in this chapter. The book will be very interesting to all those working on nutrition and those interested in the use of animal model systems for human disease.
Progress in Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, Vol. 5-131 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 128. There are five reviews in this volume. They are on (I) regulation of plasma LDL levels; new strategies for drug design. (2) Biopharmacological regulation of protein phosphorylation. (3) Calcium activated neutral protease (CANP) and its biological and medical implications. (4) Microbial iron transport: structure and function of Siderophores. (5) Pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Progrem in Cllakal Biochemistry and Medicine. Vol. 6-R. D. Smith, P. S. Wolf, J. R. Regan and S. R. Jolly. 154 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 128. This volume contains one topic; The emergence of drugs which block calcium entry. The prototypes of these drugs are verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine. These and 70 related drugs have been effective in the treatment of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, myocardial arrhythmias, peripheral and cerebral vascular disease, hypertension and asthma. The calcium entry blockers (CEB) are surveyed in this volume in terms of their action on the different calcium channels, their basic biochemical and pharmaco-
Relaxing and Contracflag Faetonu A Volame on the thellum--Edited by P. M. Vanhoutte. 542 pp. 1988. Humana Press, New Jersey. ($74.50 U.S.A.) $84.50 export. Helical strip of rabbit thoracic aorta fail to relax to ACh though aortic rings did relax. Preparation of helical strips usually damaged the endothelial lining of the artery which 711
712
Book Reviews
must be present to get ACh relaxation. The release of endothelium dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) is affected by ACh, thrombin, ADP, 5HT and vasopressin. Under anoxia a contracting factor (EDCF0 is released. Under hypertension a second contracting factor EDCF2 is released and this release is affected by 5HT, ADP and ACh. This multi-authored volume provides detailed reviews of the endothelial factors, the role of cGMP, cAMP, calcium, platelets, and atherosclerosis, and gives a greater understanding of the control of hypertension. The Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors--Edited by L. E. Limbird. 367 pp. 1988. Humana Press, New Jersey. ($69.50 USA) $79.50 export. Previous volumes in this series dealt with the alpha-I adrenergic receptors, the opiate receptors and the GABA receptors. This multi-authored volume reviews the literature on the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors which are involved in hypertension, glaucoma, and depression. Alpha-2 receptors are present on arteries, veins, blood platelets, afferent and efferent arterioles and collecting ducts of the kidney, CNS neurones, sympathetic nerve terminals (inhibition of NE release) parasympthetic nerve terminals (inhibition of ACh release) gastrointestinal tract, and uterus. The book provides a good account of the agonists, antagonists, and functions of this important subclass (alpha-2A and alpha-2B) of receptors. Platelet-Activattng Factor and Cell Immunology--Edited by P. Braquet. 179 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 168, DM 201, $112. Platelet-activating factor (PAP) is a platelet agonist; it modulates the inflammatory process and helps regulate the immune response. PAP is an allyl phospholipid with an ether bond at the sn-I position of the glycerol. PAP modulates lymphocyte proliferation, and B lymphocyte and natural killer cell (NK) function, Interleukin l and 2 production, and cell mediated graft rejection. It may also play a role in arterial thrombosis. These topics are reviewed in this volume. The Role of Hamlet-Activating Factor in Immune Disorders--Edited by P. Braquet. 213 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 198, DM 237, $132. This volume surveys the role of PAP in eosinophil recruitment and activation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, the release of peptides from lung tissue, leukotriene release, allergic diseases, asthma, anaphylaxis, and transplant immunology. The ginkolides and kadsurenone are specific receptor antagonists of PAP and help in the elucidation of the many actions of PAP in immune disorders. A History of NenrolJY'aology in the 10th Century--Mary A. B. Brazier. 265 pp. 1988. Raven Press, New York. $69. The first volume by Dr Brazier in this series dealt with the history of neurophysiology in the 17th and 18th centuries. This volume starts with the lure of medical electricity (Aldini, Marat, Goethe, Thomas Young) and continues with the challenge of Galvani (von Humbolt, Volta, Valli, Pfaff, Ritter); the Italian school (Nobili, Mattecci); the spinal cord (prochaska, Rolando, Remak, Marshall Hall, Cajal, Golgi); experimental physiology (Magendie, Bell, Claude Bernard, Muller); the German school. (yon Helmholtz, du Bois-Reymond, von Brucke); electrophysiology (Bernstein, Hermann, Pfluger, Heidenhain, Ludwig); localization in
the brain (Gall, Flourens, Goltz); microscopy (Baillarger, Valentin, Beta, Meynert); brain physiology (Fritsch, Hitzig, Hughlings Jackson, Burdon-Sanderson, Ferrier, Horsley, Munk, Caton, Beck, Marxow); the Russian school (Sechenov, Cyon, Danilevsky, Tarkanov, Verigo, Bechterev, Larionov, Wedensky). The book is very readable and well illustrated with many portraits and diagrams. One of the distinguishing characteristics between humans and animals is that humans are aware of their history. Let us hope that this volume will make many neurophysiologists more human. Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Vol. 110--292 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $89.50. There are two reviews in this volume. (1) The atrial natriuretic factor (ANF); its physiology and biochemistry, by J. Genest and M. Cantin. This deals with ANF, its biochemistry, molecular biology, [mRNA, eDNA cloning, structure of ANF gene, chromosomal localization, regulation of ANF gene expression], RIA measurement of ANF in plasma and tissues, ANF in extra atrial tissues [ventricles, CNS, eye, kidney], mechanisms of release, ANF receptors, second messengers, biological effects, structureactivity relationships, analogues, autonomic nervous system, pathophysiology, all in 145 pages. (2) The organization of cardiovascular neurons in the spinal cord by J. H. Coote. The number of preganglionic neurones varies with species; in frogs 324, terrapins 541, cat 53,340, rhesus monkey 76,219, man 84,000. Their anatomy, electrophysiology, thoracic spinal interneurones, spinal afferent input, central inputs, pharmacology, and the organization of those neurones specifically dealing with cardiovascular preganglionic system in mammals are described in detail. Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd FAn---Edited by W. O. Foye. 925 pp. 1989. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia. $49.50. This well known textbook explains drug action in terms of their biochemistry, pharmacology, and their molecular and medicinal chemistry. The initial chapters are on physicalchemical properties of drugs, drug design, structure-activity, drug metabolism, and receptor site theory. The major part of the book deals with functional aspects of the drugs, i.e. volatile anaesthetics, local anaesthetics, CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, cholinergics, adrenergics, cardiac agents, anticoagulants, diuretics, antiallergenics, sex hormones, antilipidemics, non steroidal anti-inflammatories, sugar metabolism, vitamins and coenzymes, thyroid, medicines of plant origins, chemotherapy, metabolite antagonism, antiseptics and disinfectants, antimycobacterials, antibiotics, parasite chemotherapy, antifungals, pesticides, cancer chemotherapy, hormone antagonists, antiviral agents. 51 authors have contributed to this new edition. The material has been brought up to date and new chapters have been added on antilipidemic agents, antihormones, photochemistry, and molecular graphics. The chapters on anticancer agents, organ imaging agents, metabolite antagonism, cardiovascular drugs, antiviral agents, have been expanded. The text is clearly written and well illustrated and will be of great use to those who wish to have a greater understanding how drugs work. It is also excellent value for money. Drug Delivery to the Respiratory Tract--Edited by D. Ganderton and T. Jones. 141 pp. 1987. Ellis Horwood/VCH Verlag, Weinheim. The lungs offer a direct pathway to drugs and the development of metered drug application has been an important
Pergamon Press plc. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS Drugs Affecting Lipid MetaboUsm~Editcd by R. Paoletti, D. Kritchevsky and W. L. Holmes. 451 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $76.50.
logical actions, therapeutic indications, adverse effects, the perspectives for new CEB drug discovery. This book provides an excellent account of this important subject.
There have been three major advances. (l) 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.
Practical Pharmaceetkal Chemistry 4th Editine--A. H. Beckett and J. B. Stenlake. Part 1. 326 pp. 1988. Athlone Press, London. $55. Part 2. 602 pp. 1988. Athlone Press, London. $75. In this 4th edition the material has been brought up to date bringing in drugs, dosages and methods that are common to the UK, Europe and North America. The topics dealt with in volume i are chemical purity and its control; registration and assessment of medicines; theoretical basis of quantitative analysis; techniques of quantitative analysis; acidimetry and alkalimetry; titration in non aqueous solvents; oxidation-reduction titrations; precipitation and complexometric methods; solvent extraction methods; medicaments in formulations. Volume 2 has chapters on instrumental methods; general physical methods; analysis of drugs and excipients in the solid state; chromatography; electrochemical methods; spectrophotometry IS]; UV absorption S; atomic emission and absorption S; spectrofluorimetry; infrared S; NMR; Mass spectrometry; radiochemistry and radiopharmaceuticals; application of spectroscopic techniques to structural elucidation. The two volumes provide an excellent theoretical basis and practical details of procedures useful in the analysis of drugs and complex chemicals.
Magnesium in Clinical Practice--Jean Durlach. 360 pp. 1988. Libbey, London. £35, $68. This is an English translation by David Wilson of the original french text. The topics covered are as follows. Magnesium biology [biochemistry, cellular function, physiological function]; Mg metabolism [absorption, storage, excretion, regulation of Mg metabolism]; methods of evaluating Mg status; primary Mg defects [latent tetany, neuromuscular hyperexcitability, mitral valve prolapse, endocrine-humoral, osteo-articular, allergies, cardiovascular]; secondary Mg defects [chronic Mg deficiencies, chronic alcoholism, diarrhea, stress, diabetes, renal hypermagnesuria, tuhulopathies]; Mg overload; Mg and therapeutics; oral Mg therapy; parenteral Mg therapy. This book provides a very useful survey of an important element that is at present overshadowed by its colleague, calcium.
Comparative Nutrition--Edited by K. Blaxter and I. Macdonald. 264 pp. 1988. Libbey, London. £24. $47. This multi-authored volume contains reviews on: growth, reproduction and nutrition in primates and man; vertebrate digestion; energy exchange; nitrogen metabolism and protein requirement; lipid metabolism; vitamin C functions; bone minerals and fat soluble vitamins; salt and water metabolism; basal metabolic rates in man; obesity in animals; atherosclerosis in animals and man; infant nutrition; fibre in diet; retardation of ageing by diet; is man unique7 The reviews are concise but contain much interesting information. For example in amphibians, reptiles, the pigeon and chicken, the enzymes for the synthesis of vitamin C are present in the kidney. But in most birds and mammals it is synthesized in the liver. However the enzymes are not present in man, primates, bats, guinea pigs, and the redvented buibul. Ascorbate levels are reported to be lower in smokers, diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, and schizophrenia. The role of vitamin C in the antioxidant defence system, protection against lipid peroxidation, and as a free radical scavenger are also discussed in this chapter. The book will be very interesting to all those working on nutrition and those interested in the use of animal model systems for human disease.
Progress in Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, Vol. 5-131 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 128. There are five reviews in this volume. They are on (I) regulation of plasma LDL levels; new strategies for drug design. (2) Biopharmacological regulation of protein phosphorylation. (3) Calcium activated neutral protease (CANP) and its biological and medical implications. (4) Microbial iron transport: structure and function of Siderophores. (5) Pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Progrem in Cllakal Biochemistry and Medicine. Vol. 6-R. D. Smith, P. S. Wolf, J. R. Regan and S. R. Jolly. 154 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 128. This volume contains one topic; The emergence of drugs which block calcium entry. The prototypes of these drugs are verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine. These and 70 related drugs have been effective in the treatment of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, myocardial arrhythmias, peripheral and cerebral vascular disease, hypertension and asthma. The calcium entry blockers (CEB) are surveyed in this volume in terms of their action on the different calcium channels, their basic biochemical and pharmaco-
Relaxing and Contracflag Faetonu A Volame on the thellum--Edited by P. M. Vanhoutte. 542 pp. 1988. Humana Press, New Jersey. ($74.50 U.S.A.) $84.50 export. Helical strip of rabbit thoracic aorta fail to relax to ACh though aortic rings did relax. Preparation of helical strips usually damaged the endothelial lining of the artery which 711
712
Book Reviews
must be present to get ACh relaxation. The release of endothelium dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) is affected by ACh, thrombin, ADP, 5HT and vasopressin. Under anoxia a contracting factor (EDCF0 is released. Under hypertension a second contracting factor EDCF2 is released and this release is affected by 5HT, ADP and ACh. This multi-authored volume provides detailed reviews of the endothelial factors, the role of cGMP, cAMP, calcium, platelets, and atherosclerosis, and gives a greater understanding of the control of hypertension. The Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors--Edited by L. E. Limbird. 367 pp. 1988. Humana Press, New Jersey. ($69.50 USA) $79.50 export. Previous volumes in this series dealt with the alpha-I adrenergic receptors, the opiate receptors and the GABA receptors. This multi-authored volume reviews the literature on the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors which are involved in hypertension, glaucoma, and depression. Alpha-2 receptors are present on arteries, veins, blood platelets, afferent and efferent arterioles and collecting ducts of the kidney, CNS neurones, sympathetic nerve terminals (inhibition of NE release) parasympthetic nerve terminals (inhibition of ACh release) gastrointestinal tract, and uterus. The book provides a good account of the agonists, antagonists, and functions of this important subclass (alpha-2A and alpha-2B) of receptors. Platelet-Activattng Factor and Cell Immunology--Edited by P. Braquet. 179 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 168, DM 201, $112. Platelet-activating factor (PAP) is a platelet agonist; it modulates the inflammatory process and helps regulate the immune response. PAP is an allyl phospholipid with an ether bond at the sn-I position of the glycerol. PAP modulates lymphocyte proliferation, and B lymphocyte and natural killer cell (NK) function, Interleukin l and 2 production, and cell mediated graft rejection. It may also play a role in arterial thrombosis. These topics are reviewed in this volume. The Role of Hamlet-Activating Factor in Immune Disorders--Edited by P. Braquet. 213 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 198, DM 237, $132. This volume surveys the role of PAP in eosinophil recruitment and activation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, the release of peptides from lung tissue, leukotriene release, allergic diseases, asthma, anaphylaxis, and transplant immunology. The ginkolides and kadsurenone are specific receptor antagonists of PAP and help in the elucidation of the many actions of PAP in immune disorders. A History of NenrolJY'aology in the 10th Century--Mary A. B. Brazier. 265 pp. 1988. Raven Press, New York. $69. The first volume by Dr Brazier in this series dealt with the history of neurophysiology in the 17th and 18th centuries. This volume starts with the lure of medical electricity (Aldini, Marat, Goethe, Thomas Young) and continues with the challenge of Galvani (von Humbolt, Volta, Valli, Pfaff, Ritter); the Italian school (Nobili, Mattecci); the spinal cord (prochaska, Rolando, Remak, Marshall Hall, Cajal, Golgi); experimental physiology (Magendie, Bell, Claude Bernard, Muller); the German school. (yon Helmholtz, du Bois-Reymond, von Brucke); electrophysiology (Bernstein, Hermann, Pfluger, Heidenhain, Ludwig); localization in
the brain (Gall, Flourens, Goltz); microscopy (Baillarger, Valentin, Beta, Meynert); brain physiology (Fritsch, Hitzig, Hughlings Jackson, Burdon-Sanderson, Ferrier, Horsley, Munk, Caton, Beck, Marxow); the Russian school (Sechenov, Cyon, Danilevsky, Tarkanov, Verigo, Bechterev, Larionov, Wedensky). The book is very readable and well illustrated with many portraits and diagrams. One of the distinguishing characteristics between humans and animals is that humans are aware of their history. Let us hope that this volume will make many neurophysiologists more human. Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. Vol. 110--292 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $89.50. There are two reviews in this volume. (1) The atrial natriuretic factor (ANF); its physiology and biochemistry, by J. Genest and M. Cantin. This deals with ANF, its biochemistry, molecular biology, [mRNA, eDNA cloning, structure of ANF gene, chromosomal localization, regulation of ANF gene expression], RIA measurement of ANF in plasma and tissues, ANF in extra atrial tissues [ventricles, CNS, eye, kidney], mechanisms of release, ANF receptors, second messengers, biological effects, structureactivity relationships, analogues, autonomic nervous system, pathophysiology, all in 145 pages. (2) The organization of cardiovascular neurons in the spinal cord by J. H. Coote. The number of preganglionic neurones varies with species; in frogs 324, terrapins 541, cat 53,340, rhesus monkey 76,219, man 84,000. Their anatomy, electrophysiology, thoracic spinal interneurones, spinal afferent input, central inputs, pharmacology, and the organization of those neurones specifically dealing with cardiovascular preganglionic system in mammals are described in detail. Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd FAn---Edited by W. O. Foye. 925 pp. 1989. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia. $49.50. This well known textbook explains drug action in terms of their biochemistry, pharmacology, and their molecular and medicinal chemistry. The initial chapters are on physicalchemical properties of drugs, drug design, structure-activity, drug metabolism, and receptor site theory. The major part of the book deals with functional aspects of the drugs, i.e. volatile anaesthetics, local anaesthetics, CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, cholinergics, adrenergics, cardiac agents, anticoagulants, diuretics, antiallergenics, sex hormones, antilipidemics, non steroidal anti-inflammatories, sugar metabolism, vitamins and coenzymes, thyroid, medicines of plant origins, chemotherapy, metabolite antagonism, antiseptics and disinfectants, antimycobacterials, antibiotics, parasite chemotherapy, antifungals, pesticides, cancer chemotherapy, hormone antagonists, antiviral agents. 51 authors have contributed to this new edition. The material has been brought up to date and new chapters have been added on antilipidemic agents, antihormones, photochemistry, and molecular graphics. The chapters on anticancer agents, organ imaging agents, metabolite antagonism, cardiovascular drugs, antiviral agents, have been expanded. The text is clearly written and well illustrated and will be of great use to those who wish to have a greater understanding how drugs work. It is also excellent value for money. Drug Delivery to the Respiratory Tract--Edited by D. Ganderton and T. Jones. 141 pp. 1987. Ellis Horwood/VCH Verlag, Weinheim. The lungs offer a direct pathway to drugs and the development of metered drug application has been an important