Until recently, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been considered a systemic endocrine hormonal system exclusively. It is now known that each component of the renin-angiotensin system is produced, synthesized and indeed, present in many organisms including the heart and vessels. This volume presents the most recent clinical and laboratory experiences of the leading physicians and investigators in the field of the local cardiac renin-angiotensin aldosterone system.

Cardiovascular, renal and hypertension oriented physicians, investigators and scientists would find this book of interest.

Edward D. Frohlich, M.D., M.A.C.P, F.A.C.C., is the Alton Ochsner Distinguished Scientist at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also Professor of Medicine and of Physiology at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, and Clinical Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. He is past Editor-in-Chief of the American Heart Association journal HYPERTENSION.

Richard N. Re, M.D., is the Section Head, Hypertension at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also Ochsner's Scientific Director of Research.

Endocrine Board Review (EBR) Reference Edition 2021 is a self-study resource with 240 case-based, American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) style, multiple-choice questions in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. Updated annually. Customers are advised that this book is a reference edition and the questions in it are designed for self-study and reference. The content is the same as the non-reference edition, but CME and MOC credits are not available upon completion of the material. Anyone with questions about CME and/or MOC credits should consult www.endocrine.org/store for further information.

This unique book is a comprehensive guide for healthcare providers who treat patients with complex medical conditions but lack the resources to address fertility and sexuality concerns and help patients navigate their fertility decision-making process. It presents up-to-date information concerning fertility preservation and restoration for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes, disorders of sex development, hematologic diseases, genetic disorders of gonadal dysfunction, immunologic diseases, gynecologic diseases, endocrine disorders, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Utilizing a practical, user-friendly format, each chapter discusses the epidemiology, classification, risk factors and/or clinical manifestations, and diagnosis and treatment modalities specific to each condition, as well as the effect of it or its treatment on fertility and unique options that may exist. Complex medical conditions are inherently difficult to manage, and reproductive interventions are often not part of the conversation. As such, Fertility Preservation and Restoration for Patients with Complex Medical Conditions will be an excellent resource for primary care physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, and other health professionals working with patients with fertility concerns. This book, together with Oncofertility: Fertility Preservation for Cancer Survivors; Oncofertility: Ethical, Legal, Social, and Medical Perspectives; Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation; Oncofertility Communication: Sharing Information and Building Relationships across Disciplines; and Pediatric and Adolescent Oncofertility: Best Practices and Emerging Technologies, provides scientific and medically relevant information on fertility preservation from all vantage points and is an indispensable series for those interested in fertility management in cancer or complex settings.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the three most important themes in the field of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) research: the basic biology of EDCs, particularly their effects on reproductive systems; EDC effects on humans and wildlife, including biomedical considerations; and potential interventions and practical advice for dealing with the problem of EDCs.

The identification of normal and breast cancer stem cells has offered a new vision of this heterogeneous disease and new hopes for its prognosis and treatment. This volume provides an overview of recent developments in mammary stem cell research and discusses the many varieties of approaches used by researchers to investigate the properties and functions of mammary stem cells. The beginning chapters provide readers with an introduction to mammary stem cells, and the processes used to characterize stem cells and isolate them via fluorescent activated cell sorting. The next few chapters discuss DNA and mRNA sequencing, proteomic techniques to help profile cells, lentiviral cell transduction for gene expression, and in vivo lineage tracing. The final few chapters are dedicated to following stem cells from their initial niche to the new microenvironment at their metastasis site, and to studying these cells using physical and mathematical approaches. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, the chapters include the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results in the laboratory. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Mammary Stem Cells: Methods and Protocols aims to help members of the scientific community explore the behavior of stem cells and how to work with them in order to guide the design of new and complimentary strategies to be applied in the clinic with the ultimate end goal of fighting breast cancer.

Tamoxifen has persisted as a widely accepted and administered drug for almost 25 years. Following the many scientific papers and books on the subject, it has remained a very intriguing substance. This, perhaps, is the reason for another monograph on Tamoxifen. It is regrettably true that overviews, even when up to date after exhaustive research - the shibboleth of our cultures -, rapidly lose relevance with the passage of time. Scientists can sometimes be pictured as deep sea divers, who plunge into the unknown in search of a hitherto unknown world. Their descent is exciting, but eventually they must come up for air and integrate their experiences with others who also had to resurface. This book intends to collect and, where possible, to collate recent, but sometimes seemingly unrelated information. To quote Stephane Mallarme: "Everything in the world exists to end up in a book." Even if this is a tad cynical, it might not be far from the truth. If a little knowledge is a dangerous commodity, one can also add - tongue in cheek - that a vast amount of knowledge can be truly hazardous. It is likely that what might seem as entangled data is confusing, especially for those satisfied with the comfortable interpretation of Tamoxifen as an antiestrogen which has long been found insufficient. The complexity of its mechanisms and effects defies simple explanations and may even seem capricious, but only because of our ignorance.

Western Medicine as seen today has a strong scientific basis in its development. The pathogenesis of most diseases and their symptomatology and physical signs are well studied and understood. The management of patients is based on firm understanding of these disease processes. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine came about through the experience of many generations of practitioners over thousands of years. Undoubtedly, many of these treatments have proved to be effective in their own way, however, firm scientific basis is still lacking.

While most Western Medicine advocates control of disease by eradication of pathogens and surgical removal of diseased organs as in the case of cancer, Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to improve resistance against disease. There is probably a great wealth of therapeutic value in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has not been discovered or explored fully. By combining the knowledge of both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine, one might be able to improve the results of efficacy of treatments and the survival of patients. The integration of Medicine from East and West will take time to evolve and will need interested physicians from different parts of the world to work closely together to realize such a possibility.

This book is an attempt to bridge the medical world of two great and ancient civilizations in their approach to the treatment of disease. It is informative with a detailed account of the history of medical development. It is highly recommended for those medical practitioners from both East and West who are interested to explore alternative medicine and research new areas of the medical frontier.

This volume of Molecular Biology of Hematopoiesis is dedicated to many inter national scientists and clinicians for their contribution to the field of Hematology/ Oncology presented at the 11th International Symposium on Molecular Biology of Hematopoiesis, which was held in Bormio, Italy, June 25-29, 1998. The continuous support of the Presidents of the meeting, Professor F. Takaku, President of Jichi University, and E. D. Thomas, Nobel Laureate, was greatly acknowledged, especially Professor Takaku, for his vision and support for development of gene therapy in Japan. New information on BMT for autoimmune disease and organ transplantation was presented at the symposium and is published in this volume. Several new findings on gene therapy/transfer into HSC were presented by E. F. Vanin and A. Nienhuis, K. Humphries, 1. A. Nolta, H. E. Heslop, and M. K. Brenner. Professors S. Asano and K. Tani presented new studies on gene transfer into primates. Among the highlights were the new papers on gene transfer presented by G. Wage maker, N. G. Abraham, and M. Onoderea from R. M. BJaese's group. The use of BMT for organ transplant and autoim mune disease was updated and a representative paper is presented in this volume.

Morphological imaging' and functional imaging' are current mainstays for the diagnosis, successful treatment and accurate follow-up of patients with endocrine disorders. Functional and Morphological Imaging of the Endocrine System provides the reader with comprehensive but concise insights in the application of cutting edge imaging techniques and updated imaging protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of hypersecretory hormonal syndromes and functional endocrine masses.

Endocrinology of the Heart in Health and Disease: Integrated, Cellular, and Molecular Endocrinology of the Heart covers the traditional concepts of cardio-endocrinology, the role of the various hormone systems, both in health and disease, therapeutic implications, and other recent advances in the various fields represented. The book explores how cardiac hormones are changed in various cardiac pathologies and the recent success that has been uncovered in their therapeutic use. Additional focus is placed on how the heart responds both physiologically and pathophysiologically to a plethora of circulating hormones, reinforcing the importance of the heart as a target of numerous endocrine systems, such as the brain, renal, and adipose. Significant advances have come from basic, clinical, and translational research from a multiplicity of investigators with diverse backgrounds. The book features over 200 photomicrographs, diagrams of molecular relationships, and tables that complement and support the text. It is aimed at a wide audience, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in a wide array of biomedical departments and PhD programs (e.g. Pathology, Physiology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology) related to the endocrine and cardiovascular sciences curricula, as well as medical residents in pathology, laboratory medicine, internal medicine, and cardiology.

Authoritative researchers and clinicians review our latest understanding of andrology in both basic science and clinical medicine. Topics range from explaining the biology of androgens-from several different perspectives-to illuminating their role in the development and modulation of physiologic systems. Authors demonstrate in a number of cases that testosterone can be a useful adjunct to the treatment of a variety of disease states. Other chapters consider important topics such as androgens use in athletes, the potential of androgens to improve physical function and quality of life in older men, and androgens as potential male contraceptives.

Structure, Expression, and Regulation of the IGF-I Gene.- Differential Regulation of IGF-I Leader Exon Transcription.- Insulin and IGF-I Analogs: Novel Approaches to Improved Insulin Pharmacokinetics.- Analysis of the Interaction of Igf-I Analogs with the IGF-I Receptor and IGF Binding Proteins.- Synthesis and Characterization of IGF-II Analogs: Applications in the Evaluation of IGF Receptor Function and IGF-Independent Actions of IGFBPS.- Towards Identification of a Binding Site on Insulinlike Growth Factor-II for IGF-Binding Proteins.- Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of the Human IGF-II Gene Expression.- Significant Species Differences in Local IGF-I and -II Gene Expression.- Transcriptional Regulation of the Insulin Receptor Gene Promoter.- The Regulation of IGF-I Receptor Gene Expression by Positive and Negative Zinc-Finger Transcription Factors.- Cell Cycle Control by the IGF-1 Receptor and Its Ligands.- The Insulin Receptor Family.- IRR: a Novel Member of the Insulin Receptor Family.- Molecular Properties of Insulin/IGF-1 Hybrid Receptors.- Immunological Studies of Type I IGF Receptors and Insulin Receptors: Haracterisation of Hybrid and Atypical Receptor Subtypes.- Insulin like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Signal Transduction to the Nucleus.- Molecular Cloning of pp120/ ECTO-ATPase, An Endogenous Substrate of the Insulin Receptor Kinase.- The Insulin-like Growth Factor-II/mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor: Structure, Function and Differential Expression.- Parental Imprinting of the Genes for IGF-II and Its Receptor.- Multihormonal Regulation of IGFBP-1 Promoter Activity.- Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1: Identification, Purification, and Regulation in Fetal and Adult Life.- Rapid Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Transcription by Insulin In Vito and In Vivo.- IGF Binding Protein-3 and the ACID-labile Subunit: Formation of the Ternary Complex In Vitro and In Vivo.- Role of Post Translational Modifications in Modifying the Biologic Activity of Insulin like Growth Factor Binding Proteins.- Cellular Actions of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3.- Gene Expression of the IGF Binding Proteins during Post-Implantation Embryogenesis of the Mouse: Comparison with the Expression of IGF-I and -II and Their Receptors in Rodent and Human.- Hormonal Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Expression and the Development of Transgenic Mouse Models to Study IGFBP-1 Function.- Limited Proteolysis of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3): A Physiological Mechanism in the Regulation of IGF Bioavailability.- Effects of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-I) Administrations on Serum IGF Binding Proteins (IGFBPS) in Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency.- Metabolic Effects of rhIGF-1 in Normal Human Subjects.- IGFS and Muscle Differentiation.- IGF-II in the Pathogenesis of Rhabdomyosarcoma: a Prototype of IGFS Involvement in Human Tumorigenesis.- The Physiology and Pathophysiology of IGF-I in the Kidney.- Regulation of IGFBP-4 and -5 Expression in Rat Granulosa Cells.- Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding Protein-1 Is an Antigonadotropin: Evidence that Optimal Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Action in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Is Contingent upon Amplification by Endogenously-Derived IGFS.- Insulin-like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in the Zucker Fatty Rat: a case for Differential Tissue Regulation.- Characterization of the IGF Regulatory System in Bone.- Regulation of IGF Activity in Bone.

Hormone measurement is necessary for the diagnosis of a wide range of clinical conditions and is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. As the number of hormone requests in the clinical field rises exponentially, it has become imperative to create hormone assays accessible to researchers with a varied range of equipment. Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition reviews common techniques used to measure hormones as well as relatively new methods such as tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, subsequent chapters detail methods for a broad range of hormones; Techniques and principles covered are transferable to a wide range of substances across species. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition will serve students, technologists, laboratory scientists, and researchers looking to apply, or attain a greater understanding of, methods for measuring hormones.

Twenty years after its discovery, recombinant human leptin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with lipodystrophy. Beginning with a synthesis of the vast body of work on its discovery, dissection of mechanisms, and effects in experimental models , the focus of this book shifts to a consideration of the regulation and role of leptin in humans. The emphasis on human-level data is a unique feature of this book. The results of numerous studies indicate that leptin is indeed a regulated human hormone. Leptin provides a detailed account of the myriad physiological, hormonal, metabolic, immunological, mitogenic and inflammatory modulators and targets of leptin in a single volume. Next follows a comprehensive presentation of the therapeutic trials of recombinant leptin in patients with congenital leptin deficiency, lipodystrophy, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and other emerging areas, including leptin supplementation in leptin-replete subjects, leptin substitution for insulin in diabetic models, and novel combination regimens of leptin and other biogenic peptides. Unanswered questions and future directions in leptin research are highlighted in the Foreword by Dr. Jeffrey Friedman and throughout the volume. Identifying such questions helps direct research that could deepen understanding of the complex regulation of leptin under physiological and pathological conditions, a critical prerequisite to its rational deployment in the treatment of human disorders.

Recent Advances in Prolactin Research summarizes the current knowledge of prolactin (PRL), PRL receptor, PRL-dependent signaling pathways, the role of PRL in oncogenesis and PRL crosstalk with other oncogenic factors. The chapters are written by experts in these fields and focus on identifying and reviewing timely experimental findings that provide new insights into the expanding role of PRL in the pathophysiology associated with a variety of human conditions. Prolactin is a peptide hormone that is best known for its role in lactation. Prolactin also has an influence on hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, and is involved in the regulation of blood clotting through several pathways. Although PRL was discovered more than 80 years ago, the understanding of PRL signaling and its relationship to various pathologies is still very incomplete. PRL is not only a pituitary hormone with an important role in reproduction, but PRL also acts as a cytokine, modulating a wide variety of physiological processes. For example, data gathered during the last decade have demonstrated that locally produced PRL acts as the autocrine/paracrine factor and plays a contributory role during breast oncogenesis. In fact, the scientific and clinical communities have suggested that the manipulation of the PRL axis may lead to the successful treatment of breast cancer. However, recent work has demonstrated that the role of the PRL axis is much more complex than first envisaged.

"Theoretically, one should obtain essentially the same clinical picture from failure of an end-organ to respond to a hormone as from a decreased production or absence of said hormone. " With these words, Fuller Albright began his now classic paper describing a novel disease, pseudo hypoparathyroidism (PHP), and a novel concept, hormone resis- tance as a cause of disease. Soon, other hormone resistance disorders such as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) were recognized, and the concept was extended to resistance to other substances such as calcium ions in familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH). Later, diseases characterized by excess rather than deficient hormone action such as McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) and familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) were recognized to be caused by autonomous endocrine hyperfunction. Although many i!!vestigators provided careful and detailed descriptions of the clinical features of these and other related endocrine disorders, an understanding of pathogenesis proved elusive for many years. In just the past few years, we have gone from clinical description to a molecular understanding of these interesting disorders. This remarkable progress reflects a synthe- sis of three distinct, but now overlapping, areas of biomedical research: the aforemen- tioned recognition and careful clinical description of specific diseases, the elucidation of the basic mechanisms of signal transduction, and the application of the powerful tools of molecular biology and genetics. Fundamental studies on the mechanisms of hormone action by Rodbell and colleagues at NIH culminated in the discovery of a major signal transduction pathway involving heterotrimeric G proteins.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is rising in developing countries and developed countries at such high rates that it is now considered a worldwide public health problem of pandemic proportions. Yet its spread can usually be mitigated by diet and lifestyle behavior. Nutritional Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome brings together coverage of dietary patterns and dietary components to create a complete understanding of the mechanisms by which these diets and components may improve metabolic syndrome. It then presents information on how to treat MS through lifestyle change and nutritional intervention. Witten by experts, the book focuses on diet therapy, nutritional intervention, and oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome. It presents information on dietary patterns in metabolic syndrome, including Mediterranean style diets, DASH, and low calorie diets. The text then provides an understanding of the physiopathology mechanisms in metabolic syndrome and strategies to treat these conditions through nutritional intervention. Chapters cover prevalence of MS, pathophysiology, MS in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, gene-nutrient interactions, MS in adolescents and children, lifestyle change and physical activity, and various effects of dietary components in MS. Research studies examining food groups are important, and there is a trend in the literature to verify the relationship between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors. However, studies examining dietary components, such as olive oil, soy-based products, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, berries, whole grains, nuts, dairy foods, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are also important. The coverage of both in this book gives you an understanding of the pathophysiology underlying MS that you can use to develop strategies to prevent and treat these conditions through nutritional intervention.

This book covers the entire spectrum of thyroid diseases in childhood, focusing on the recent advances that have been achieved, from progress in basic science research through to novel or improved approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Introductory chapters discuss thyroid embryogenesis and the role of thyroid hormones in fetal development. The two contrasting forms of thyroid dysfunction, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, are then considered in depth, with particular attention to the molecular causes of congenital hypothyroidism. Among the other topics addressed are autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and pediatric neoplasms. The book concludes with an overview of promising therapeutic approaches, such as stem cell therapy. Each topic is treated by an eminent expert in the field, ensuring consistently high quality. Thyroid Diseases in Childhood will be an important source of information for endocrinologists, pediatricians, oncologists, and gynecologists, as well as other professionals interested in this topic.

Despite the gains of the women's movement, women are still judged by what they look like--and men, by what they do. Fat--A Fate Worse Than Death? offers hardy resistance to the narrow, random, and irrational appearance standards set for American women through an approach that is personal, eclectic, courageous, and funny. If you are interested in giving up your diet, throwing out your scales, and concentrating on who you are on a deeper level, this book will show you how to accept, appreciate, and even love your body Using statistics, research, anecdotes, and personal experiences, Fat--A Fate Worse Than Death? explores how appearance standards have built a prison for women. With the book's helpful advice, reading suggestions, and list of more than 100 ways to fight looksism, sexism, ageism, and racism, you will learn to express your rights and needs, regardless of your shape or size, and tear down those prison walls. Designed to transcend the boundaries between the personal and the political, Fat--A Fate Worse Than Death? discusses: examples of how weight and size constitute the last socially accepted prejudice the national "War on Fat" counteracting societal influences that support weight preoccupation connection between appearance standards for older women and large women nurturing your body resisting male-defined standards of beauty for women the myth of diets and dieting how the body resists weight loss how women are disempowered by concentration on weight and appearance how concentrating on appearance leaves real-life issues unaddressed how feeling bad about yourself can turn you into a willing consumerFeminists, faculty and students of women's studies programs, aging women, women of radical politics, and other concerned women and men will find that Fat--A Fate Worse Than Death? states explicitly how women are kept powerless by subscribing to cultural and social edicts on physical appearance. Don?t live silently in a society that degrades and discounts women because of their physical stature and don?t let obsession with thinness keep you passive, docile, and unable to give your energy to things that really need your passion and intelligence. Read this book and learn to not only value yourself for who you are, but also to counteract American culture's equality-denying prejudices and practices.

The objective of this book is to provide recent information on neural regulation in the endocrine system in vertebrates. Classical studies have revealed that certain neurons synthesize and release chemical messengers into the vascular system. These neurons are endocrine devices that link the brain with the endocrine glands and other target organs. In vertebrates, the hypothalamus is the seat for chemical coordination and integration of en- vironmental and hormonal cues to modulate function of the pituitary gland, and conse- quently, the functions of other endocrine glands. Exciting information generated during the past few decades has resulted in profound alterations in the conceptual fabric of endo- crinology. From the wealth of information that emerged on neuropeptides of the central nervous system, and on the other connectivities of various brain centers, its has become clear that several extra-hypothalamic sites are also involved in regulation of hypophysial hormones. The brain has assumed a greater importance in the regulation of the endocrine sys- tem. However, recent studies have revealed varying degrees of functional autonomy in hy- pophysial hormone secretion, which may be due to intrapituitary cytokines. Although gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a key regulator of gonadotropin secretion, there exists a GnRH receptor diversity in vertebrates such as the receptor presence in can- cer cells. Recent studies have demonstrated the multifactorial nature of the neuroendo- crine factors involved in growth hormone regulation in fish. On the other hand, in birds, thyrotropin-releasing hormone plays a major role in growth hormone release.

The autoimmune thyroid diseases and familial thyroid cancers are the current target of molecular thyroid genetics. Unlike the situation in monogenic thyroid diseases, for which the molecular genetics has largely been clarified over the past 20 years, a methodological approach to these more complex forms of thyroid disease has not yet been well established. The determination of susceptibility genes, for example, remains a major challenge. The contributors to this volume are attempting to meet that challenge in research on molecular genetics. Meeting at the first International Symposium on the Genetics of Complex Thyroid Diseases, held in Kyoto, Japan, 20 distinguished researchers from five countries in addition to Japan shared their latest results and engaged in intense discussion, focusing on the autoimmune thyroid diseases and familial thyroid cancers. Their papers collected here are a valuable contribution to the field of the genetics of complex thyroid diseases.

The volume Appetite Control provides a comprehensive description of the mechanisms controlling food intake, and thereby energy balance, in the mammalian organism. During the last decade, research in this area has produced a remarkable wealth of information and has characterized the function of numerous peptides, transmitters, and receptors in appetite control. Dysfunction of these circuits leads to obesity, a growing health concern. However, the plethora of mechanistic information is in marked contrasts to an almost complete lack of anti-obesity drugs that meet the safety standards required for the chronic therapy of morbid obesity. Consequently, ongoing research aims to identify additional targets and agents for a pharmacological intervention. Thus, the mechanisms of appetite control as well as all agents interfering with its control are of considerable practical interest.

The authors of the volume are distinguished scientists who are leading experts in the field, and who have contributed important, original data to our understanding of the mechanisms of appetite control. They have quite different scientific backgrounds and, together, they represent all relevant disciplines. Thereby, the topics are presented from different points of view, not exclusively from that of pharmacology and neuroendocrinology. Thus, the volume addresses all scientists who are interested in the field of obesity research and the pathophysiology of appetite control."

This volume, based on the International Congress Creatine: From Basic Science to Clinical Application, held in Milan on June 4, 1999, outlines the physiological role of creatine in the human body as well as its possible role in different pathological conditions. Creatine is already used as a dietary supplement to augment muscle performance in healthy individuals and inpatients with immobilizing diseases, such as complex fractures. There is also an increasing interest in its administration in a growing number of clinical conditions. A specific deficit of endogenous synthesis of creatine which responds to high dosage exogenous supplementation has been described. In cardiac failure and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, creatine improves the contractility of the muscular system. Promising effects of this substance have also been described in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and in some mitochondrial cytopathies. This volume is of obvious interest to basic scientists working on the physiology of creatine and to clinicians interested in its medical indications.