This volume examines the role of intracellular calcium in the transmission of external chemical, physical and electrical stimuli to the interior of the cell and the role of calcium in the physiological and metabolic effects of such stimuli.

Since its inception the research area of platelet pharmacology has always been a vigorous one and it is a characteristic that new approaches to the understanding of platelet function are rapidly and thoroughly investigated. The intensity of this activity is attri butable, probably, to an appreciation by research workers in the field that a satisfactory therapeutic control of platelet function has yet to be realized. Also that if and when this problem of con trolling platelet function is achieved the benefits to clinical medicine will be immense since platelets are known to be involved in a multiplicity of events coupled within the haemostatic mechanisms and inflammatory responses. Aberrations in the behaviour of plate lets is part of the aetiology of atherosclerosis, myocardial and cerebral infarction and thrombosis. At this point in time, research in platelet function is in a particularly rapid state of flux. The recent findings of research workers active in the field and also workers investigating mechan isms of stimulus response coupling in other cells, have provided interesting insights into the generality of mechanisms involved in the function of responsive cells. One may itemize these developments as the area of cell receptor/ligand interaction, induction of cell ular response by protein phosphorylation and calcium flux. The mech anism of these latter events occurs through the activity of phospho lipase generating transient intermediates. These intermediates may act as ionophores or enzyme activators or may, in the case of eico sanoids, reinforce and make irreversible the cellular response.

This, the 148th volume of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology series, focuses on the very core of pharmacology, namely receptor theory. It is fitting that the originator of receptor pharmacology, A. J. CLARK, authored the fourth volume of this series 63 years ago. In that volume CLARK further developed his version of receptor theory first described four years earlier in his classic book The Mode of Action of Drugs. An examination of the topics covered in volume 4 reveals a striking similarity to the topics covered in this present volume; pharmacologists today are still as interested in unlocking the secrets of dose-response relationships to reveal the biological and che mical basis of drug action as they were over half a century ago. Sections in that 1937 volume such as "Curves relating exposure to drugs with biological effects" and "Implications of monomolecular theory" show Clark's keen insight into the essential questions that required answers to move pharma cology forward. With the advent of molecular biological cloning of human receptors has come a transformation of receptor pharmacology. Thus the expression of human receptors into surrogate host cells helped unlock secrets of receptor mechanisms and stimulus-transduction pathways. To a large extent, this elim inates the leap of faith required to apply receptor activity of drugs tested on animal receptor systems to the human therapeutic arena. However, a new leap of faith concerning the veracity of the effects found in recombinant systems with respect to natural ones is now required.

This volume will explore the most recent findings on cellular mechanisms of inhibitory plasticity and its functional role in shaping neuronal circuits, their rewiring in response to experience, drug addiction and in neuropathology. Inhibitory Synaptic Plasticity will be of particular interest to neuroscientists and neurophysiologists.

The Second Edition will continue this tradition of better preparing researchers in the basics of pharmacology. In addition, new human interest material including historical facts in pharmacology will be added. A new section on therapeutics will help readers identify with diseases and drug treatments. Over 30 new figures and tables More human interest information to provide readers with historical facts on pharmacology research New section on therapeutics to help identify diseaes and drug treatments New section on new biological concepts relevant to pharmacological research (i.e., systems biology) New study sections organized with ASPET and other international pharmacology organizations New coverage of pharmacokinetics and drug disposition

This book presents an extensive treatment of the introduction of modern physical concepts into biology. In particular, the concept of coherence finds wide applications and yields novel results in context with multiple problems as they arise in biology: these include long range resonant cellular effects and resonant interactions of biological tissues with low intensity electro-magnetic radiation. Extensive experimental support of the theoretical concept is presented.

Biochemistry of Platelets is a comprehensive review of the biochemistry of platelets, with emphasis on the molecular basis for the various biological processes in which they participate. Topics range from stimulus-response coupling mechanisms to platelet contractile proteins, platelet membrane glycoproteins, and storage organelles in platelets and megakaryocytes. The expression and function of adhesive proteins on the platelet surface is also discussed. Comprised of 12 chapters, this book begins with a description of the morphological and metabolic responses to agonists, as well as the involvement of certain processes in the coupling of agonist-receptor interactions to platelet responses. The following chapter deals with platelet arachidonate metabolism and platelet-activating factor, focusing on the release of arachidonate from platelet lipid stores; pathways of platelet arachidonate metabolism and effects of arachidonate metabolites; and inhibition of platelet arachidonate metabolism by aspirin. The structure, function, and modification in disease of platelet membrane glycoproteins are then discussed, along with prothrombin activation on platelets and platelet regulation of thrombus formation. Secreted platelet proteins as markers for pathological disorders are also considered. This monograph is intended as a reference for investigators involved in platelet research as well as a source of information for those working in other areas of biological investigation.

Use your knowledge of pharmacology to enhance oral care! Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Dentistry, 6th Edition describes how to evaluate a patient's health and optimize dental treatment by factoring in the drugs they take. It explores the basic fundamentals of pharmacology, special topics such as pain control, fear and anxiety, and oral complications of cancer therapy, and most importantly, the actions of specific drug groups on the human body. Whether you're concerned about the drugs a patient is already taking or the drugs you prescribe for treatment, this book helps you reduce risk and provide effective dental care. - An emphasis on the dental applications of pharmacology relates drugs to dental considerations in clinical practice. - Dental aspects of many drug classes are expanded to include antibiotics, analgesics, and anesthetics. - The Alternative Medicine in Dentistry chapter discusses chemicals used as alternative medicines and assesses their potential benefits and risks. - The Nonopioid Analgesics chapter groups together non-opioid analgesics, nonsterioidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antirheumatic and antigout drugs, making these easier to locate and study. - Coverage of the endocrine system includes four separate chapters for the most comprehensive coverage. - Drug Interactions in Clinical Dentistry appendix lists potential interactions between drugs a patient is taking for nondental conditions and drugs that may be used or prescribed during dental treatment, including effects and recommendations. - Glossary of Abbreviations appendix includes the most common abbreviations used for drugs or conditions. - New Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics chapter covers the effects of genetic traits of patients on their responses to drugs. - A NEW introductory section offers tips for the study of dental pharmacology and relates pharmacology to dental considerations. - An updated discussion of drug-drug interactions covers the harmful effects of mixing medications. - Coverage of adverse effects and mechanisms of COX-2 inhibitors, antibiotic prophylaxis, and antiplaque agents explains the dental risks relating to common drug treatments.

Biochemical Actions of Hormones, Volume VIII is an eight-chapter text that covers the developments in the understanding of the biochemical aspects of hormonal action and regulation. This volume examines first the messenger functions of calcium in hormonal systems. The next chapters deal with the neuronal regulation of blood pressure; the regulation of protein synthesis by phosphorylation; and the hormonal control of hepatic gluconeogenesis. These topics are followed by discussions on the effects of insulin in intracellular functions, the mechanisms of steroidal hormones, and the membrane recognition and effector sites in steroid hormone action. A chapter focuses on the activation of steroid-receptor complexes. The final chapters survey the estradiol and progesterone receptors in the human endometrium. This book will be of great value to biologists, biochemists, and researchers in the field of hormonal action.

This resource provides simple explanations of the ways in which biological systems use basic biochemical mechanisms to produce fine chemical control of physiology, allowing for more informed predictions of drug effects in all systems and forming the basis of the drug-discovery process.