C‘my. Bwchem. Ply.siol. Vol. 94A. No. 3. pp. 549-550. 1989 Pergamon Press plc. Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Sodium Transport Inhibitors-Edited by G. S. Stokes and J. F. Marwood. 161 pp. 1988. S. Karger, Basel. S.Fr. 149; $99.50.

Evidence points to the existence of a natural inhibitor of sodium potassium ATPase of hypothalamic origin circulat- ing in the body. This natural inhibitor plays a role in fluid and electrolyte balance. cardiovascular homeostatis, hyper- tension. secretion of atria1 natriuretic peptide, renal failure and uremia, muscle contraction, and may be an important stage in linking dietary sodium intake with hypertension.

Melatonin: Clinical Perspectives-Edited by A. Miles, D. R. S. Philbrick and C. Thompson. 288 pp. 1988. Oxford Medical Publications. Oxford. $70.

Although the role of melatonin in the aggregation of melanosomes in amphibian melanocytes was indicated in 1915 and its structure determined in 1958, the range of functions of melatonin is only now being appreciated. This multi-authored volume discusses the role of melatonin in man in: circadian rhythms: reproductive function; adreno- cortical activity; thyroid function; sleep and behaviour: cancer; ageing; affective disorders; schizophrenia; and inter- action with antidepressent and antipsychotic drugs, The availability of a good RIA assay for melatonin has greatly facilitated study of its role human physiology, as summarized in this interesting volume.

Animal Clinical Biochemistry; the Future-Edited by 1). J. Blackmore. 386 pp. 1988. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $59.50.

The chapters in this volume are grouped into sections: the future (molecular biology and veterinary diagnostics, the impact of biotechnology, comparative hematology of mam- mals and birds, immunoassays in animal health and disease and use of liposomes); hepatobiliary damage and dysfunc- tion (enzyme profiles, serum bile acid and GLDH values, and alkaline phosphatase); proteins and enzymes (myo- globinuria, aminopeptidases, PFK, and fibronectin); en- docrinology (hepatic steroid metabolism, T3 and T4, and blood insulin RIA); and metabolism (serum lipids and lipoproteins, free fatty acids, plasma Ca. Zn and albumin in dogs and horses, oral vitamin E tolerance, selenium and glutathione peroxidase, per&me exhalation, and infusion of glucose, proprionate and butyrate). All examples are taken from veterinary work on birds, dogs, horses, and cattle.

Manipulating Secondary Metabolism in Culture-Edited by R. J. Robins and M. J. C. Rhodes. 312 pp. 1988. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $49.50.

This volume surveys the use of plant tissue culture systems for the production of biochemicals. drugs, and materials of use in industry. The subject is still at the developmental stage and the majority of papers are concerned with the techniques used and the manipulation and improvement of the source materials. Although we are still a long way from the industrial production of drugs (other than fungal anti- biotics) from tissue cultures, the information provided will stimulate research in this important subject.

Bacterial Toxins-Edited by M. C. Hardegree and A. Tu. 472 pp. 1988. Marcel Dekker, New York. Sl50 (USA and Canada); $ I80 (elsewhere).

This is volume 4 in the Handbooks of Natural Toxins. The other volumes are: (I) Plant and Fungal Toxins; (2)Insect Poisons, Allergens and other Invertebrate Venoms; (3) Marine toxins and Venoms; and (5) Reptile and Amphibian Venoms. The present volume deals with toxins from Cholera, E. co/i, Snhnoneiia, Shigeiiu, Staphylococci, Clostridia. Boiuliwm. Diphtheria, Pseudomonas. Strepto-

cocci. Anthrax, and hybrid molecules. Knowledge about these toxins can help in the development of treatment of infected patients. In addition. many of the toxins are useful pharmacological tools for blocking specific biochemical and physiological sites in the body.

Quiooione Antimicrobial Agents-Edited by J. S. Wolfson and D. C. Hooper. 290 pp. 1989. American Society for Microbiology, Washington. $39.

More than 1000 quinolones (Q) and analogs have been synthesized and evaluated. These new compounds include norffoxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, perfloxacin, enoxacin, amifloxacin, difloxacin, fleroxacin, temafloxacin and Iomefloxacin. They are more potent and broader in anti- bacterial action than nalidixic acid, and are well absorbed after oral administration, have long serum half lives, and penetrate well into human tissues. The chapters describe the mechanism of action of Q: pharmacokinetics of Q; the uses of Q in infections of the eye; urinary tract; respiratory tract; skin and soft tissues; sexually transmitted diseases; bacterial enteritis; endocarditis; meningitis; and possible side effects. It should be possible to develop Qs with specific activity against gram-positive organisms. anaerobes, chlamydiae and legionellae. and so have a better range of treatn~ents.

Progress in Catecholamine Research (Three Volumes). Part A. Basic Aspects and Peripheral Mechanisms-Edited by A. Dahlstrom, R. H. Belmaker and M. Sandler. 613 pp. 1988. Alan R. Liss. New York. $175. Part B. Central Aspects-Edited by M. Sandler, A. Dahlstrom and R. H. Belmaker. 592 pp. 1988. Alan R. Liss, New York. $175. Part C. Clinical Aspects--Edited by R. H. Belmaker. M. Sandler and A. Dahlstrom. 506 pp. 1988. Alan R. Liss. New York. $165. Neurology and Neurobiology Series. Volume 42A-C.

These three volumes contain the proceedings of the 6th International Catecholamine Symposium held in Jerusalem in 1987. The main topics in Volume A are: molecular biology of CA synthetizing enzymes; regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase; monoamine oxidases; CA transport and up- take systems; phenol sulfotransferases; coexistence of trans- mitters; biology of adrenal medulla and chroma~n cells; invertebrate models for CA studies; regulation of CA recep- tors; fluorinated CA; adrenergic regulation of the pineal gland; functions of CA in fetus and neonate; CA peripheral organs interactions; CA and the immune system; phenyethy- IamineeCA interactions; differentiation of monaminergic neurons,

Volume B deals with dopamine; Parkinson’s disease and MTP; CA and attention; monoaminergic innervation of the primate cerebral cortex: CA-peptide interactions: CA and

54Y