This book explores several subtypes of muscarinic receptors that modulate smooth muscle activity. Main topics include a classification of muscarinic receptors, biochemical responses that occur in smooth muscle, the role of muscarinic receptors in the function of gastrointestinal and genitourinary smooth muscle, and prejunctional muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle. Discussions cover the current state of research and are intended to generate further research into the design of novel therapeutics for disorders of smooth muscle function.

This book explores several subtypes of muscarinic receptors that modulate smooth muscle activity. Main topics include a classification of muscarinic receptors, biochemical responses that occur in smooth muscle, the role of muscarinic receptors in the function of gastrointestinal and genitourinary smooth muscle, and prejunctional muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle. Discussions cover the current state of research and are intended to generate further research into the design of novel therapeutics for disorders of smooth muscle function.

The differentiation between the muscarinic and the nicotinic ef fects of acetylcholine led to the subdivision of the cholinergic ner vous system into two categories. Further studies showed that stimu lating and inhibiting muscarinic effects could be demonstrated in different organs. For instance, gastric secretion and gastrointestinal motility are stimulated, while heart rate and the vascular muscula ture are inhibited. For decades, it could not be determined whether the various ef fects were mediated by different subgroups of muscarinic receptors, but eventually, with the availability of agonists and antagonists to muscarinic receptors, and using various techniques, the existence of at least two such subgroups could be ascertained . . Mt receptors are defined by their high affinity for the antagonist pirenzipine in comparison to M2 receptors. This subdivision of muscarinic receptors has since been proved beyond doubt by experi ments in vivo and in vitro, by receptor binding studies, by histoauto radiography, and by electrophysiological studies. However, these different classes of muscarinic receptors have not been found to relate to different types of effects; instead both excit atory and inhibitory effects appear to be linked to each class. For ex ample, excitation of gut motility and inhibition of cardiac contrac tile activities both appear to be mediated by M2 receptors, while ex citation of some nerves in sympathetic ganglia and inhibition of some myenteric nerves may be mediated by M receptors.

Vols. for 1956- include selected papers from the proceedings of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The last decade has witnessed a wealth of new information on the mechanisms underlying cell signaling. Molecular approaches have revealed the identity and structure of many of the receptor proteins which permit cells to respond to different chemical signals. An important mechanism regulating receptor function is desensitization, i.e. the suppression of a cellular response induced by the continuous presence of a constant agonist stimulus. This book features selected studies on receptor-mediated desensitization in various cells and tissues triggered by Ca2+. Post-receptor mechanisms are also considered. The contributions focus on muscarinic, histamine and adrenergic receptor systems as well as the phosphoinositidase C signaling pathway. The authoritative information compiled in this book will not only prove of great value to researchers interested in signal transduction but is also crucial for the development of new drugs.

A comprehensive monograph on the pathology of the urinary bladder together with its associated tissue in both genders. It explores the contemporary understanding of the complex embryological reorganization occurring early in the intrauterine life of the developing human and continuing expansion of molecular diagnostics extending through the full range of clinical and pathologic findings encountered in practice. It defines their diagnostic features and criteria, and presents effective strategies for solving diagnostic challenges.