Free Radicals in Inflammation

by Paul G. Winyard (Editor), David R. Blake (Editor), Christopher H. Evans (Editor)

Overview

The book deals with the role of both oxygen- and nitrogen-centred free radicals in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The well-known involvement of the superoxide anion radical in the bactericidal action of inflammatory cells suggests that radicals and the inflammatory response are inextricably linked. The widespread involvement of radicals in human disease seems inevitable, because inflammation is such a conspicuous component of human disease. For the first time, the present text integrates contributions from leading research groups who have been investigating the role of radicals within the context of all stages of inflammtion, such as the recruitment of inflammatory cells, their bactericidal action, inflammatory tissue destruction and inflammatory cell death by apoptosis. The chapters are broadly organised so that they trace the clinical course of the acute and chronic inflammtory response, emphasising the therapeutic implications of recent data on the contribution of nitric oxide and related nitrogen-centred species. The book will be of interest to academic and industrial researchers and clinicians with interests in the fields of inflammation or free radical biology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783764358518
Publisher:	Birkhauser Basel
Publication date:	02/28/2000
Series:	Progress in Inflammation Research Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	259
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.80(d)

Editorial Reviews

This work is a review of current concepts in the cellular/molecular regulatory aspects of free radicals in various aspects of acute and chronic inflammatory responses. The regulatory mechanism of inflammation is an important and extremely complex subject. The purpose is to present a concise description of the cellular/subcellular mechanisms of the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inflammatory signal cascades and consequent responses. The work is timely and quite worthwhile. In general, the editors' objectives are met. Although not explicitly stated, this work would be useful for internists, rheumatologists, and other clinicians, as well as basic scientists who desire a comprehensive overview of the basic biology of specific diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic granulomatous disease, and others) in which ROS are implicated. Topics covered include the biochemistry/molecular biology of inflammation, the role of free radicals and other reactive oxygen species, NADPH oxidase, nitric oxide, xanthine oxidoreductase, NF-kB, adhesion molecules, redox regulation of gene expression, ROS associated apoptosis, metalloproteinases, autoimmunity, and so forth. Although there is some repetition of basic points, this is probably inevitable in such a multiauthored work. In any event, this allows readers to refer to individual chapters without depending on information in other chapters. Of value are a number of clear, well designed figures which contribute to understanding of complex issues. A number of tables are also useful, and the index is quite good. Overall, this is a first-rate contribution to the field.

Lawrence D. Longo