When phagocytes are exposed to a number of different stimuli, they undergo dra matic changes in the way they process oxygen. Oxygen uptake increases markedly, frequently more than 50-fold; the phagocytes begin to produce large quantities of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide; and they immediately begin to metabolize large amounts of glucose by way of the hexose monophosphate shunt. This series of changes has become known as the respiratory burst. It was first believed that the major function of this respiratory burst was to generate powerful antibacterial agents by the partial reduction of oxygen. It is becoming apparent that the respiratory burst has much wider application, and its physiological function in many different biolog ical areas is clear. In this volume, we have attempted to bring together the work of experts who have published extensively on the involvement of the respiratory burst in different physiological functions. In the first three chapters, Dr. Borregaard and Dr. Berton and co-workers and Dr. Roos and co-workers bring together what is known about the respiratory burst. They present up-to-date versions of the biochemical and metabolic activities associ ated with the burst. In Chapter 4, Dr. Styrt and Dr. Klempner discuss the respiratory burst as it affects cellular ion homeostasis. Dr. Cohen and Dr. Britigan (Chapter 5) present some interesting data on the competition between the respiratory burst and bacteria for oxygen. Dr. Dobrina and Dr.

Amphioxus Immunity: Tracing the Origin of Human Immunity covers a remarkable range of information about Amphioxus and its evolutionary context. This compilation of what is currently known about Amphioxus, with a sharp focus on its immune system, includes 13 topics, such as: - Amphioxus as a model for understanding the evolution of vertebrates - basic knowledge of immunology - immune organs and cells of amphioxus - a genomic and transcriptomic view of the Amphioxus immunity - pattern recognition system in Amphioxus - transcription factors in Amphioxus - the complement system of Amphioxus - the oxidative burst system in Amphioxus - immune effectors in Amphioxus - lipid signaling of immune response in Amphioxus - apoptosis in amphioxus; primitive adaptive immune system of Amphioxus - and future research directions This valuable reference book is loaded with information that will be useful for anyone who wishes to learn more about the origin of vertebrates and adaptive immunity. - Provides new evidence on the origin of the adaptive immune system, the evolution of innate immunity, and evolution-stage specific immune defense mechanisms - Not only presents the cells and molecules involved in the adaptive immune response in Amphioxus, but also characterizes the origination and evolution of the gene families and pathways involved in innate immunity - Includes much pioneering work, from the molecular, genomic, and cellular to the individual level

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

This book provides a unique, comprehensive, and up-to-date overview of the various NADPH oxidases and narrates the history of their discovery, biochemical characteristics, genetics, molecular structure, and multiple functions in health and disease. It covers the subject in a manner that serves both the expert and the novice researcher in the field. The book starts with an overview of the major milestones in the discovery of the archetypical NADPH oxidase, known as cytochrome b558, and its cytosolic regulators. This is followed by personal recollections by pioneers of the field, descriptions of the work of the major figures of the past by their followers, and a rendering of the history of the discovery of the Nox family. The central section of the book consists of chapters devoted specifically to an in depth description of the individual members of the Nox family, and is followed by chapters focused on the modulators of their function. A subsequent section comprises chapters dealing with methodologies of Nox research, interaction with other proteins, and Nox inhibitors. A distinct section of the book deals with non-mammalian Noxs, from amoeba to zebrafish. Subsequent chapters focus on Nox structure, a field in which extraordinary progress was made in recent years. The volume ends with chapters on Chronic Granulomatous Disease, the consequence of Nox loss-of-function, and its treatment by gene therapy. The coda is a crystal ball perspective of the hopes for the clinical translation of basic Nox research. Written for biochemists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, and clinicians, this book is aimed at both senior scientists and young investigators in the field.

Biological Oxidation Systems, Volume II discusses the various antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes that play significant roles in protecting cells from deleterious reactions between their structural/functional components and the free radicals. This book examines the myriad chemical reactions of a cell's metabolic activity that produce a variety of free radicals. Comprised of three parts encompassing 35 chapters, this volume starts with an overview of the metabolism of xenobiotics during arachidonic acid metabolism. This book then discusses the various causes of human cancers and diseases, which include exposure to environmental chemicals and other toxicants. This text considers the dietary habits and nutritional factors that play an important role in the causation and development of several human cancers, including cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, and other organs. Other chapters discuss the toxic effects of several xenobiotics that involve free-radical mechanisms. Biochemists, biophysicists, microbiologists, organic chemists, food chemists, and medical scientists will find this book extremely useful.

The use of antioxidants in sports is controversial due to existing evidence that they both support and hinder athletic performance. Antioxidants in Sport Nutrition covers antioxidant use in the athlete ́s basic nutrition and discusses the controversies surrounding the usefulness of antioxidant supplementation. The book also stresses how antioxidants may affect immunity, health, and exercise performance. The book contains scientifically based chapters explaining the basic mechanisms of exercise-induced oxidative damage. Also covered are methodological approaches to assess the effectiveness of antioxidant treatment. Biomarkers are discussed as a method to estimate the bioefficacy of dietary/supplemental antioxidants in sports. This book is useful for sport nutrition scientists, physicians, exercise physiologists, product developers, sport practitioners, coaches, top athletes, and recreational athletes. In it, they will find objective information and practical guidance.

The finding that chemicals can be metabolically activated to yield reactive chemical species capable of covalently binding to cellular macromolecules and the concept that these reactions could initiate toxicological and carcinogenic events stimulated a meeting by a small group of toxicologists at the University of Turku, in Finland, in 1975 (Jollow et al. , 1977). The growing interest in this field of research led to subsequent symposia at the University of Surrey, in England in 1980 (Snyder et al. , 1982), and the University of Maryland in the U. S. A. in 1985 (Kocsis et al. , 1986). The Fourth International Symposium on Biological Reactive Intermediates was hosted by the Center for Toxicology at the University of Arizona and convened in Tucson, Arizona, January 14-17, 1990. Over 300 people attended. There were 60 platform presentations by invited speakers, and 96 volunteer communications in the form of posters were offered. These meetings have grown from a small group of scientists working in closely related areas to a major international series of symposia which convene every five years to review, and place in context, the latest advances in our understanding of the formation, fate and consequences of biological reactive intermediates. The Organizing Committee: Allan H. Conney, Robert Snyder (Co-chairman), and Charlotte M. Witmer (Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ), David J. Jollow Co chairman) (Medical University, South Carolina, Charleston, SC), 1. Glenn Sipes (Co chairman) (University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ), James J. Kocsis and George F.

This timely volume describes the contributions of free radicals and reactive oxygen species to disease processes in a variety of tissues. Topics include the roles of lipid peroxide-modified lipoproteins in atherosclerosis, peroxidation products in retinopathy, reactive oxygen species and neutrophils in mycardial ischemia-reflow injury, iron and reactive oxygen species in hemoglobin-mediated CNS damage and in asbestos-mediated lung injury. Critical reviews examine the evidence for radical species in ethanol-induced liver injury and in muscular dystrophy. The wealth of new information presented makes this book valuable for teaching and an important reference volume for researchers exploring problems in human disease.