Phospholipases generate lipid signaling molecules through their hydrolytic action on phospholipids and are known to regulate function of a variety of cells under normal and diseased conditions. While several physiological, biochemical and molecular techniques have identified key players involved in different disease processes, phospholipases have also emerged as critical players in the pathogenesis of a number of different diseases including cancer and heart disease. In addition, phospholipases are also implicated in such conditions as brain disorder/injury, kidney and immune cell dysfunction. Phospholipases in Health and Disease is a compilation of review articles dedicated to the study of the field with respect to biochemical and molecular mechanisms of normal and abnormal cell function. The wide range of area covered here is of interest to basic research scientists, clinicians and graduate students, who are engaged in studying pathophysiological basis of a variety of diseases. Furthermore, this book highlights the potential of the different phospholipases as therapeutic targets as well as part of prevention strategies. Twenty three articles in this book are organized in four sections that are designed to emphasize the most characterized forms of the phospholipases in mammalian cells. The first section discusses general aspect of phospholipases. Section two covers the role and function of phospholipase A in different pathophysiological conditions. The third section is focussed on phospholipase C which is believed to play a central role in transmembrane signaling. The final section covers phospholipase D which is present in a variety of different cells. The book illustrates that the activation of phospholipases is of fundamental importance in signal transduction affecting cell function. Overall, this book discusses the diverse mechanisms of phospholipase mediated signal transduction in different pathophysiological conditions and raises the possibility of specific forms of phospholipases serving as novel targets for drug development.

Global health has been challenged with the dawning of the era of the obesity epidemic, and thus as a consequence, strategies to reduce obesity have become public health priorities. According to the United Nations, obesity has been identified as a concern for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Obesity is a serious health problem with an increased risk of several common diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Although the fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an imbalance between calorie intake and calorie expenditure, the underlying biochemical and metabolic processes that cause obesity are not fully understood. Two earlier volumes dedicated to the subject of obesity, published in the series "Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease" focused on the pathophysiology of obesity-induced health complications and the biochemistry of cardiovascular dysfunction in obesity. This book brings together contributions from international experts in the field to describe advancements on the mechanisms leading to development of obesity and related complications. There are 21 chapters in two different parts in this book, comprising of Part I: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Obesity (11 chapters) and Part II: Therapeutic Mechanisms of Obesity (10 chapters). This book will serve as a resource and be of interest to health professionals, medical students, fellows, residents and graduate students. It will also evoke innovative research and effective approaches for the prevention of obesity. This volume will accentuate that obesity is a major health hazard in its own right and that appropriate public health measures should be implemented to prevent or reduce or even reverse the impact of this global chronic disease.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults as well as in obese children. This book will provide a description of the impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system and increased predisposition to CVD. It will identify the major biochemical mechanisms that lead to the occurrence of myocardial abnormalities and vascular alterations in obesity. We will also have some discussion on the biochemistry of the so-called obesity paradox in relation to CVD. The contributors to this book are international experts on obesity and associated cardiovascular complications. This book is also uniquely positioned as it focuses on the biochemistry of obesity-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. There are 20 chapters in 2 different parts in this book, comprising of Part A: Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Complications in Obesity (11 chapters) and Part B: Modification of Cardiovascular Dysfunction in obesity (9 chapters). The intent of this volume is to provide current and basic understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of obesity induced cardiovascular dysfunction that will be of value not only to cardiologists and other allied health professionals, but will also stimulate and motivate biomedical researchers and scientists to find the way to prevent the epidemic of obesity associated cardiovascular abnormalities. Furthermore, this book will serve as a highly useful resource for medical students, fellows, residents and graduate students with an interest in the cardiovascular system. In summary, this book covers a broad range of biochemical mechanisms of obesity-induced cardiovascular complications. We hope that the reader will understand that obesity is linked to an increase in the risk and occurrence of fatal CVD. Furthermore, the underlying message presented in the book is that the cause of obesity related disorders is complex and that understanding the biochemistry of cardiovascular dysfunction may contribute to the development of novel interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity associated comorbidities.