Overview
This book brings together current research on the way in which blood flow can regulate vascular function—with particular emphasis on vascular tone. Evidence that this occurs is derived from the study of isolated cellular and tissue systems, in vitro vascular segments and vascular beds from both animals and humans. It seems likely that flow-sensitive mechanisms are found in most arteries and veins. Considerable attention is devoted in this book to the role of the endothelium. It also examines the cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms involved, the effective stimulus, the signal transduction systems, the role of flow-dependent mechanisms in various physiological regulating processes and the role of flow in the long-term design of the circulation system. Included are chapters concerned with the involvement of flow-related mechanisms in disease, for example arteriosclerosis, vasospasm and their alteration in heart failure and hypertension. It may be that sensitivity to flow represents an important underlying characteristic of the vascular system essential to its role in bringing the desired volume of blood to tissues in amounts appropriate to their need.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Michael Barany, MD, PhD(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)Description: The mechanism of flow-dependent regulation of vascular tone is explained in this book by the biochemical pathways that send the signals for vasoconstriction or vasodilation.
Purpose: The book aims to survey the basic physiological concepts and potential pathological consequences of flow-induced regulation of vascular structure and function. Another purpose is the elucidation of the role of endothelium in the regulation of blood circulation.
Audience: Cardiovascular researchers are the primary audience. In addition, it contains new information for workers in biochemistry, biophysics, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical sciences.
Features: The book contains 16 chapters well illustrated by figures, tables, and metabolic pathways. A large number of recent references and a detailed subject index help the newcomer and the advanced researcher to make progress in this special area.
Assessment: This book has several novel features in the rapidly developing field of clinical physiology and biochemistry. It keeps a good balance between the theoretical discussions of the concepts and their application to cardiovascular diseases. It is written by well-known researchers of vascular function who are also teachers and thus are able to present a rather difficult topic in readily understandable way. Students of medical sciences and several other disciplines will find the book very useful.
Michael Barany
The mechanism of flow-dependent regulation of vascular tone is explained in this book by the biochemical pathways that send the signals for vasoconstriction or vasodilation. "The book aims to survey the basic physiological concepts and potential pathological consequences of flow-induced regulation of vascular structure and function. Another purpose is the elucidation of the role of endothelium in the regulation of blood circulation. "Cardiovascular researchers are the primary audience. In addition, it contains new information for workers in biochemistry, biophysics, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical sciences. "The book contains 16 chapters well illustrated by figures, tables, and metabolic pathways. A large number of recent references and a detailed subject index help the newcomer and the advanced researcher to make progress in this special area. "This book has several novel features in the rapidly developing field of clinical physiology and biochemistry. It keeps a good balance between the theoretical discussions of the concepts and their application to cardiovascular diseases. It is written by well-known researchers of vascular function who are also teachers and thus are able to present a rather difficult topic in readily understandable way. Students of medical sciences and several other disciplines will find the book very useful.3 Stars from Doody