Fat has a bad reputation in modern society despite being an essential part of our health and well-being. Across the animal kingdom, fat plays all sorts of vital roles in energy storage and insulation for migration, breeding and mating. Written by an expert in the field, this intriguing popular science book fills the gap between unscientific comments about dietary fats, weight control and the health hazards of high- or low-fat diets found in magazines; and technical medical reports about lipid biochemistry and obesity in animals and humans. It explains in clear, nontechnical language where fats come from and how the body handles them; the natural roles of fats; and the biology of feasting and fasting, and fattening and slimming in wild animals as well as people. All readers with an interest in fat and its uses and manifestations will find this book an enjoyable and informative read.

In this book, renowned scientists describe how cholesterol interacts with various proteins. Recent progress made in the high-resolution visualization of cholesterol-protein interactions using crystallography and cryogenic electron microscopy has substantially advanced the knowledge of critical features. These features enable specific recognition of the cholesterol molecule by proteins, a process that was built on earlier studies using binding assays, computational modeling and site-directed mutagenesis. Direct Mechanisms in Cholesterol Modulation of Protein Function offers comprehensive insights into the current understanding of cholesterol-driven modulation of protein function via direct sensing. Its nine chapters are organized into two distinct parts. In the first part, the chapters introduce the reader to the general characteristics of cholesterol binding sites in proteins. This part starts with a tour into common cholesterol recognition motifs, followed by an overview of the major classes of steroid-binding proteins. It then continues with two chapters that present a comprehensive analysis of molecular and structural characteristics of cholesterol binding sites in transmembrane and soluble protein domains. In the second part of the book, examples of cholesterol binding sites and consequences of specific cholesterol recognition for protein function are presented for G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels and cholesterol-transporting proteins. The book is valuable for undergraduate and graduate students in biochemistry and nutrition, as well as basic science and medical researchers with a keen interest in the biophysical properties of cholesterol and physiological consequences of cholesterol presence in biological systems.

This book combines the current knowledge on the role of lipids in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation. It showcases various approaches to the study of lipids and focuses on various types of stem cells and specific lipids driving maintenance or differentiation. The volume includes chapters reviewing roles of specific lipids in pluripotency, neurogenesis and exocytosis as well as in cancer stem cells. Examples of different classes of lipids-such as sphingolipids, lysophospholipids, cannabinoids and neutral lipids-are described and illustrate the vast biological effects of this class of molecules. The international contributors are all recognized experts in their respective fields. Covering the various aspects of the topic, Lipidomics of Stem Cells provides an up-to-date snapshot-unique among the literature-of where the lipid world is in terms of understanding the roles of lipids in stem cell biology. It provides an essential reference for stem cell biologists, lipid biologists, development biologists, students, academics and clinicians in related areas.

Lipids and Skin Health is the first effort to summarize and review the studies, ideas, and research that link lipid metabolism to the largest organ of our body, the skin.  The book covers the fundamental biology of the skin, and the major involvement of the transcriptional factors that govern lipid synthesis and the bioactive lipids in this intriguing organ. All layers of skin are presented, as well as their relevant lipids from the epidermis to dermis and even to the hypodermis. The important and unique-to-skin biological pathways are laid out, with a special focus on the various models that demonstrate the essential role of lipid synthesis in skin pathophysiology. The use of lipids in the cosmetic industry is emphasized, and last but not least the involvement of lipids in the clinical setting is also discussed.  This book will appeal to healthcare professionals, researchers and dermatology professionals, and will help them to brainstorm new products and opportunities that will target the emerging importance of lipid metabolism in skin for acne, aging, and healthy skin. Apostolos Pappas, Ph.D., is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technology. He started his professional career as a research biochemist in the Skin Research Center of Johnson & Johnson and later served as a group leader at Munich Biotech, where he worked on cancer research. Thereafter he returned to Johnson & Johnson, where he is currently a Research Manager and Fellow focusing on lipid metabolism research. He has authored numerous scientific publications, patent applications, and books.

This book correlates different minerals and lipids serum profiles with the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders in South Asian countries with special emphasis on Pakistan. Cardiovascular disorders (CVD, e.g. coronary heart diseases, hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, angina, heart failure and deep vein thrombosis) show significantly increasing rates in South Asian countries like Pakistan and have become a major health problem. Nevertheless, the data on any aspect of cardiovascular problems still is scanty. The serum profiles of different minerals (copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium) and lipids are analyzed in detail. The presented data will thus lead to a better understanding of the problem and help to provide possible solutions, which can be achieved, e.g. through ameliorated minerals profiles in the daily diet. These results can help develop better dietary management strategies in the prevention and treatment of CVD.

In this second edition methods are described to measure the synthesis of lipids such as the phosphoinositides, ceramides and sphingomyelin, as well as techniques to molecularly characterize the various kinases and phosphatases that regulate the intracellular metabolism of these lipids. Lipid Signaling Protocols, Second Edition guides readers through detailed experimental protocols, which are complimented by review chapters that highlight the technical considerations, challenges and potential pitfalls associated with using these laboratory-based approaches. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Lipid Signaling Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Efforts to describe and model the molecular structure of biological membranes go back to the beginning of the last century. In 1917, Langmuir described membranes as a layer of lipids one molecule thick [1]. Eight years later, Gorter and Grendel concluded from their studies that "the phospholipid molecules that formed the cell membrane were arranged in two layers to form a lipid bilayer" [2]. Danielli and Robertson proposed, in 1935, a model in which the bilayer of lipids is sequestered between two monolayers of unfolded proteins [3], and the currently still accepted fuid mosaic model was proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972 [4]. Among those landmarks of biomembrane history, a serendipitous observation made by Alex Bangham during the early 1960s deserves undoubtedly a special place. His fnding that exposure of dry phospholipids to an excess of water gives rise to lamellar structures [5] has opened versatile experimental access to studying the biophysics and biochemistry of biological phospholipid membranes. Although during the following 4 decades biological membrane models have grown in complexity and functionality [6], liposomes are, besides supported bilayers, membrane nanodiscs, and hybrid membranes, still an indisputably important tool for membrane b- physicists and biochemists. In vol. II of this book, the reader will fnd detailed methods for the use of liposomes in studying a variety of biochemical and biophysical membrane phenomena concomitant with chapters describing a great palette of state-of-the-art analytical technologies.

The present book gives a multi-disciplinary perspective on the physics of life and the particular role played by lipids (fats) and the lipid-bilayer component of cell membranes. The emphasis is on the physical properties of lipid membranes seen as soft and molecularly structured interfaces. By combining and synthesizing insights obtained from a variety of recent studies, an attempt is made to clarify what membrane structure is and how it can be quantitatively described. Furthermore, it is shown how biological function mediated by membranes is controlled by lipid membrane structure and organization on length scales ranging from the size of the individual molecule, across molecular assemblies of proteins and lipid domains in the range of nanometers, to the size of whole cells. Applications of lipids in nanotechnology and biomedicine are also described. The first edition of the present book was published in 2005 when lipidomics was still very much an emerging science and lipids about to be recognized as being as important for life as proteins, sugars, and genes. This significantly expanded and revised edition takes into account the tremendous amount of knowledge gained over the past decade. In addition, the book now includes more tutorial material on the biochemistry of lipids and the principles of lipid self-assembly. The book is aimed at undergraduate students and young research workers within physics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition, as well as pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. From the reviews of the first edition: "This is a highly interesting book and a pleasure to read. It represents a new and excellent pedagogical introduction to the field of lipids and the biophysics of biological membranes. I reckon that physicists and chemists as well as biologists will benefit from this approach to the field and Mouritsen shows a deep insight into the physical chemistry of lipids." (Goeran Lindblom, Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 2005, vol. 135, page 105-106) "The book takes the reader on an exciting journey through the lipid world, and Mouritsen attracts the attention with a lively style of writing ... . a comprehensive view of the 'lipid sea' can be easily achieved, gaining the right perspectives for envisaging future developments in the nascent field of lipidomics." (Carla Ferreri, ChemBioChem, Vol. 6 (8), 2005)

This book summarizes the most recent progress in the studies of lipid mediators from the molecular to clinical level and introduces newly created tools for analysis including imaging mass spectrometry. Comprising 29 chapters divided into four major parts, the book describes the molecular natures of enzymes, transporters, and receptors for lipid mediators (Part I), the function of lipid mediators in Drosophila and Zebrafish (Part II), the relationships between lipid mediators and various diseases (Part III), and detailed procedures of extraction, preparation, and quantification of lipid mediators (Part IV). Research on lipid mediators initially started with analysis of the action of aspirin, and subsequent biochemical experiments identified many enzymes and receptors responsible for the biosynthesis and signal transduction of individual lipid mediators. Through the phenotypic analyses of transgenic and knockout mice, it has been shown that the dysregulation of some lipid mediators causes inflammatory, immune, or oncogenic disorders. Lipid mediators have attracted increased attention because their structures are conserved among different species, and their biosynthetic and signaling pathways have been deciphered at the molecular level. Many drugs that target lipid mediators are already being used in hospitals, and this book suggests further possibilities for development of a wide variety of such drugs. Very recently, highly sensitive mass spectrometry has begun to be used to identify novel lipid mediators that are present only in trace amounts in tissues but with robust biological activity. Written by international experts, this book provides readers a comprehensive view of lipid mediators and related topics and helps in the process of determining research targets for the near future.

"Only once in a great while does a book come along that really does the job in addressing a major medical issue. When this happens, all can be joyful... Readers will find ALL their favorite dietary puzzlements dealt with... With consummate scholarship, clarity and brevity, Truswell sifts out the chaff and identifies the critical questions, the responsible investigators, and the key studies." So says Emeritus Professor Henry Blackburn from the University of Minnesota in the foreword to this remarkable concise book on the history of research on diet and heart disease. This was a theme of scientific, medical and public interest in the 20th Century, a century marked by the rise and fall of coronary heart disease as the major cause of death in the first world, followed by the rise of this cause of death in the developing world. There is obviously much to learn, and this book is an excellent starting point, tracing dietary factors and their role in heart disease one by one: fats, sugar, salt, alcohol, coffee, trans-fats, etc. Without an understanding of the role of diet and the changes that have been seen in the North American and NW European diet, the story of the decline in the heart disease death rate may have been very different.

Sphingolipids are lipid components of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells with an important function in signaling mechanisms in the cell. This book provides insight into the physiological and pathophysiological role of sphingolipids and in particular its derivative ceramide. The function of Sphingolipids in cell signaling with regard to infectious and lung diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders are described and treated in distinct parts. Together with Volume 215 from the same Editors, the collection represents a unique, comprehensive work on Sphingolipids, providing information on both: Sphingolipid basic biology as well as its important function in a (patho)physiological context. The book is written for scientists in pharmacology, biochemistry and cell biology with a focus on biomedical research as well as for clinicians in pharmacology, oncology, cardiology, neurology and infectious disease.

What are lipid nanoparticles? How are they structured? How are they formed? What techniques are best to characterize them? How great is their potential as drug delivery systems? These questions and more are answered in this comprehensive and highly readable work on lipid nanoparticles. This work sets out to provide the reader with a clear and understandable understanding of the current practices in formulation, characterization and drug delivery of lipid nanoparticles. A comprehensive description of the current understanding of synthesis, characterization, stability optimization and drug incorporation of solid lipid nanoparticles is provided. Nanoparticles have attracted great interest over the past few decades with almost exponential growth in their research and application. Their small particle size and subsequent high surface area make them ideal in many uses, but particularly as drug carrier systems. Nanoparticles made from lipids are especially attractive because of their enhanced biocompatibility imparted by the lipid. The work provides a detailed description of the types of lipid nanoparticles available (e.g. SLN, NLC, LDC, PLN) and how they range from imperfect crystalline to amorphous in structure. Current thoughts on where drugs are situated (e.g. in the core, or at the interface) and how this can be manipulated are discussed. The many techniques for production, including the author's own variant of microwave heating, are fully discussed. Techniques for measuring arguably the most important characteristics of particle size and polydispersity are discussed, along with techniques to measure crystallinity, shape and drug capacity. Finally, a full chapter on techniques for measuring stability, both in the absence and presence of drugs, is discussed, along with suggestions on how to optimize that stability. This work appeals to students of colloid science, practitioners of research into drug delivery and academics alike.

Lipids can usually be extracted easily from tissues by making use of their hydrophobic characteristics. However, such extractions yield a complex mixture of different lipid classes which have to be purified further for quantitative analysis. Moreover, the crude lipid extract will be contami nated by other hydrophobic molecules, e.g. by intrinsic membrane proteins. Of the various types of separation processes, thin layer and column chromatography are most useful for intact lipids. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is also rapidly becoming more popular, especially for the fractionation of molecular species of a given lipid class. The most powerful tool for quantitation of the majority of lipids is gas liquid chromatography (GLC). The method is very sensitive and, if adapted with capillary columns, can provide information with regard to such subtle features as the position or configuration of substitutions along acyl chains. By coupling GLC or HPLC to a radioactivity detector, then the techniques are also very useful for metabolic measurements. Although research laboratories use generally sophisticated analytical methods such as GLC to analyse and quantify lipid samples, chemical derivatii: ations are often used in hospitals. For these methods, the lipid samples are derivatized to yield a product which can be measured simply and accurately"- usually by colour. Thus, total triacylglycerol, cholesterol or phospholipid-phosphorus can be quantitated conveniently without bothering with the extra information of molecular species, etc. which might be determined by more thorough analyses. REFERENCES Christie, W.W. (1982) Lipid Analysis, 2nd edn, Pergamon Press, Oxford."

The physical properties associated with the saturated and trans fats obtained through partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils (PHVOs) provide the solid fat content, melting and textural properties that consumers require in food products like butter, margarines, vegetable creams, spreads, and confectionary fats. However, saturated and trans fats increase low density lipoprotein, while trans fats also lower high-density lipoprotein serum levels. These indicators increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and have recently been associated with metabolic syndrome. Consequently, regulatory agencies worldwide have passed legislation restricting the addition of PHVOs and their derivatives (i.e., shortenings) to food products. This has lead research groups worldwide to investigate different mechanisms to provide structural and physical properties to edible, healthy unsaturated oils. The overall objective is to achieve similar functional properties to those provided by PHVOs and shortenings to food products. This book encompasses the work of leading researchers discussing, from a scientific and technological perspective, the latest and most innovative approaches to structure edible oils without the use of trans fats. Additionally, the authors discuss practical uses and technical limitations associated with the use of "structured edible oils" in different food systems. Appealing to researchers and professionals working in lipid science, food chemistry and fat metabolism, it fills the gap in the literature for a book in this fast-changing field.

This volume contains the proceedings of an International Symposium held in Toulouse on 22 to 23 April 1988 on essential fatty acids. This symposium was initiated by Professor Jacques Ghisolfi and Kabi Laboratories were honoured to contribute to the organization of the meeting. Specialists from several countries gathered to discuss developments about essential fatty acids. The intention was to bring the audience up to the state of the art in this field.

This book presents an overview of sphingolipids: biology, synthesis and functions. The topics analysed in this book cover a broad spectrum of functions played by sphingolipids including: the role of sphingomyelin in the regulation of membrane physical state; tricyclic antidepressants as modulators of sphingolipid turnover and cell sensitivity to insulin action; sphingolipid diversity, biosynthesis and regulation; metabolism of glycolipids at the cell's surface: modulation and functional implications; the specific role of sphingomyelins in cell physiology; the role of sphingosine-based lipids using sphingolipidomics; sphingolipids and ceramides of aqueous humor and trabecular meshwork; the effect of membrane microdomains containing sphingolipids on lipid peroxidation; and roles of sphingolipids in skeletal development and homeostasis.

Proliposome technologies are stable phospholipid formulations that provide an approach to generating liposomes upon addition of aqueous phase prior to administration. In this monograph, the authors review the potential of proliposomes for pulmonary delivery of liposomes via nebulization using air-jet, ultrasonic and vibrating-mesh nebulizers. They explore both proliposome types, particulate-based and solvent-based. The book concludes that both types are capable of exploiting the energy of nebulization to generate liposomes within nebulizers.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is one the two main polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the brain, especially in neuronal cells, and can be a target in the fight against the major public health concern represented by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders in high- as well as in low-income countries where elders constitute a growing part of the population. This compilation includes topics such as the use of arachidonic acid to prevent Alzheimer's disease; the dietary effects and sources of ARA; the effect of ARA on key oncogenic pathways in prostate cancer; and the effects of adipokines on prostaglandin E2 production by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.

Evidence now suggests that the roles of essential fatty acids as growth promoters and as indices of health and nutrition are fundamentally similar in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Lipids in Aquatic Ecosystems integrates this divergent literature into a coordinated, digestible form. Chapters are organized so as to discuss and synthesize the flow of lipids from lower to higher trophic levels, up to and including humans. Linkages between the production, distribution and pathways of these essential compounds within the various levels of the aquatic food webs, and their ultimate uptake by humans and other terrestrial organisms, are highlighted throughout the book. This book will be of interest to researchers and resource managers working with aquatic ecosystems.

"Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, " Volume 11 includes invited chapters on a broad range of topics, covering both of the main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results of their own research groups in this exciting multidisciplinary field. This volume addresses the broader goal with both systems, planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes, which is the further development of this interdisciplinary field worldwide.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

"Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, "Volume 10, continues to include invited chapters on a broad range of topics, covering the main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results in this exciting multidisciplinary field of their own research group.
Many of the contributors working in both fields over many decades were in close collaboration with the late Prof. H. Ti Tien, the founding editor of this book series. There are also chapters written by some of the younger generation of scientists included in this series. This volume keeps in mind the broader goal with both systems, planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes, which is the further development of this interdisciplinary field worldwide.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

This monograph will put the biogenic marine lipids of many organisms in perspective. Volume 1 of 2.

Learn about the state of the art in building artificial membranes and synthetic biological devices, and in constructing mathematical models for their dynamics at multiple time and spatial scales with this comprehensive book. Drawing on recent advances in bioengineering and biochemistry, it describes how to engineer tethered bilayer lipid membranes, bioelectronic interfaces, high-resolution biosensors, and diagnostic devices for non-invasive cellular measurements and electroporation. Multi-physics models combining atomistic (molecular dynamics and coarse-grained molecular dynamics), mesoscopic (Poisson-Nernst-Planck), and macroscopic (reaction-rate theory) dynamics provide a complete structure-to-function description of these devices. Experiments and dynamic models explain how anti-microbial peptides penetrate membranes, how molecular machine biosensors built out of artificial membranes can detect femtomolar concentrations, and how electroporation can be controlled. Supported by atomistic simulation code online, this is essential reading for researchers, students and professionals in bioengineering, chemical engineering, biophysics, applied mathematics, and electrical engineering.

In recent years, scientific evidence supporting the relationship between diet and health has emerged. This has led to a growing interest in full and healthy food habits, in which fruits and vegetables are abundant (particularly in the Mediterranean diet) and act as sources of natural antioxidants as well as play major roles in preventing certain diseases. It is estimated that 80% of cardiovascular disease, 90% of type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and one third of cancerous processes, could be avoided including changes in lifestyle and diet improvements. Specifically, the increment on scientific reports relating the intake of antioxidant compounds and the maintenance of health has increased noticeably. The importance of dietary antioxidants lies in its ability to preserve foods containing them, and to perform the in vivo contribution of natural antioxidants. There are several scientific studies demonstrating the positive effect of exogenous and endogenous antioxidants against degenerative diseases, various cancers and diseases related to aging caused by oxidative attacks. Lipid peroxidation is thought to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases and in the process of ageing, but its measurement in vivo has been difficult. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate methods for measurement of lipid peroxidation in vivo that are suitable for clinical investigations, and to apply these methods in animal and human studies investigating basal conditions and situations associated with increased lipid peroxidation. Over the course of the past 25 years, more than 3800 articles have been published in the field of IsoP research by numerous investigators around the world. Numerous excellent reviews have been written describing the formation, chemical synthesis, and biological activities of IsoPs, as well as their potential use as biomarkers of diseases. This review will provide a brief historical perspective on the discovery of IsoPs with its primary focus on recent clinical research in the field. In conclusion, the simultaneous measurement of several biomarkers of lipid peroxidation is a promising approach for future studies investigating the possible role of lipid peroxidation in vivo under basal conditions and in the pathology of diseases.

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid and natural constituent of a number of foods, particularly vegetable oils. On the basis of proven beneficial health effects it is also a possible ingredient in processed functional foods. However, due to its high energy content it is not recommended to increase the consumption of any particular fat, but to substitute other lipids with oleic acid. While there is a well-established consensus that replacing saturated fats in the diet with oleic acid or other unsaturated fats contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels, a series of other effects has also been studied, including the modulation of inflammatory markers, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, gastrointestinal functions and even various cancers. This book discusses oleic acid's health effects, as well as its production, and how it is used.