This comprehensive reference work, updated from the first edition, brings together the knowledge and expertise of contributors from around the world. It includes new topics such as prostaglandin synthetase enzyme, new synthetic eicosanoids, innovative analytical methods, the influence of cytokines in the regulation of synthesis and actions, newer eicosanoids that influence the cardiovascular system, and newly discovered roles in reproduction and interactions with nitric oxide. This book satisfies a surge of interest in prostaglandins—NSAIDS (e.g. aspirin) are the biggest selling drugs of all time, and the field has been refreshed by the advent of new types (selective COX-2 inhibitors, anti-leukotiene drugs).

This book is about the arachidonic acid cascade, its biochemistry, its pharmacology, and its roles in signal transduction. Arachidonic acid may serve as an intracellular second messenger in many cell types, as well as precursor for biologically active molecules such as the eicosanoids (a family of oxygenated metabolites that may act as second messengers or as local mediators), and anandamide (an endogenous cannabinoid substance). Dysfunctions in the arachidonic acid cascade underlie a number of serious pathological conditions, making these biochemical pathways the target for drugs of clinical value.

The purpose of this book is to provide comprehensive coverage and an update of the major roles of eicosanoids in reproduction. It presents considerable evidence of the importance of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism in reproductive processes. This interesting volume embraces a multidisciplinary approach to research in reproduction (biochemistry, endocrinology, physiology, pharmacology, etc.) at all levels, from whole animal studies through organ, cellular, and molecular approaches. This one-of-a-kind work provides several clinically relevant chapters and places emphasis on the relevance to human reproduction, when applicable. This text is an excellent update for researchers and clinicians on the current state of knowledge of the role of eicosanoids in mechanisms critical for successful reproductive function. This informative, easy-to-read resource is also useful to all those with a more specific interest in obstetrics, gynecology, clinical endocrinology, and the study of fertility.

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

The international symposium "New Trends in Allergy", held in Munich from July 13 to 15, 1990, brought together for the third time since 1980 some of the most experienced researchers working in the field of allergy. This volume comprises the papers presented at this meeting. All over the world, and not merely in the industrialized countries, allergy is becoming a cause of evermore serious diseases. In recent years, research in the field of allergy has provided numerous impor tant and fascinating results extending our knowledge considerably. Despite the new insights into basic mechanisms of allergic reactions, improved diagnostic methods, and new therapeutic approaches, how ever, many questions remain to be answered, including: Are allergies really increasing in frequency? If so, what are the reasons? Especially, does environmental pollution playa role? Which factors influence IgE synthesis? Can the IgE immune response be switched off? Does the nervous system interact with allergic reactions? If so, what are the mechanisms? Are new approaches in allergy prophylaxis and allergy therapy effi cient? What measures have proven useful and deserve to be employed in daily practice? In this volume, these questions and other current topics are dealt with. As each issue is covered by authors competent in the respective fields, the result is an extensive and critical review of the state of the art. Going through these papers, one comes to the conviction that allergy research is a multifacetted, explosively expanding, most stimulating field of work.

Five-Lipoxygenase Products in Asthma offers an authoritative examination of the biochemistry, basic pharmacology, and clinical pharmacology of the leukotrienes with special emphasis on their role in asthma. A critical reference for every asthma researcher and clinician, Five-Lipoxygenase Products in Asthma highlights agents and products

In recent decades eicosanoids have been attracting an increasing amount of attention as a result of their important physiological roles in many areas of biology and medicine. The eicosanoids comprise the prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes and are products of arachidonic acid, an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid stored in tissue phospholipids. Disturbances of eicosanoids and their metabolic products play a regulatory role in many types of cell injuries and diseases. One of the most exciting areas of eicosanoid research pinpoints their participation in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation. Eicosanoids form a link between different fields of research into such areas as cancer, inflammation and radiation-induced injury. This link provided the impetus for the development of the conference series of which the present volume represents the proceedings of the Second International Conference, held in Berlin in October 1991.

This study looks at the way the products of arachidonic acid metabolism are active both in normal and abnormal immune responses. While some of the fundamental issues such as whether lymphocytes are capable of producing prostaglandins and leukotrienes are still hotly debated, the evidence is overwhelming that many specific immunological problems and disease states are associated with alterations in the normal balance of arachidonic acid metabolism. This book provides a review of the history and chemistry of the arachidonic acid cascade as well as an exhaustive survey of the literature concerning the interaction of arachidonic acid metabolites with cells of the immune system. The author also presents and discusses the evidence demonstrating prostaglandin and leukotriene participation in response to injury and in malignancy, tissue and organ rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmunity and allergy.

Since the publication of the bestselling second edition, mounting research into fatty acids reveals new and more defined links between the consumption of dietary fats and their biological health effects. Whether consuming omega-3 to prevent heart disease or avoiding trans fats to preserve heart health, it is more and more clear that not only the quantity but the type of fatty acid plays an important role in the etiology of the most common degenerative diseases. Keeping abreast of the mechanisms by which fatty acids exert their biological effects is crucial to unraveling the pathogenesis of a number of debilitating chronic disorders and can contribute to the development of effective preventive measures. Thoroughly revised to reflect the most resent research findings, Fatty Acids in Foods and their Health Implications, Third Edition retains the highly detailed, authoritative quality of the previous editions to present the current knowledge of fatty acids in food and food products and reveal diverse health implications. This edition includes eight entirely new chapters covering fatty acids in fermented foods, the effects of heating and frying on oils, the significance of dietary ?-linolenate in biological systems and inflammation, biological effects of conjugated linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, and the role of fatty acids in food intake and energy homeostasis, as well as cognition, behavior, brain development, and mood disease. Several chapters underwent complete rewrites in light of new research on fatty acids in meat, meat products, and milk fat; fatty acid metabolism; eicosanoids; fatty acids and aging; and fatty acids and visual dysfunction. The most complete resource available on fatty acids and their biological effects, Fatty Acids in Foods and their Health Implications, Third Edition provides state-of-the-science information from all corners of nutritional and biomedical research.

Lipids are functionally versatile molecules. They have evolved from relatively simple hydrocarbons that serve as depot storages of metabolites and barriers to the permeation of solutes into complex compounds that perform a variety of signalling functions in higher organisms. This volume is devoted to the polar lipids and their constituents. We have omitted the neutral lipids like fats and oils because their function is generally to act as deposits of metabolizable substrates. The sterols are also outside the scope of the present volume and the reader is referred to volume 28 of this series which is the subject of cholesterol. The polar lipids are comprised of fatty acids attached to either glycerol or sphingosine. The fatty acids themselves constitute an important reservoir of substrates for conversion into families of signalling and modulating molecules including the eicosanoids amongst which are the prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leucotrienes. The way fatty acid metabolism is regulated in the liver and how fatty acids are desaturated are subjects considered in the first part of this volume. This section also deals with the modulation of protein function and inflammation by unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives. New insights into the role of fatty acid synthesis and eicosenoid function in tumour progression and metastasis are presented.