In Bioactive lipids, Anna Nicolaou and George Kokotos have brought together an international team of authors to discuss the nomenclature, structures, biochemistry, pharmacology and recent developments in the main classes of bioactive lipids. These lipids are essential components of the cell membrane and play many dynamic roles in mediating and controlling a wide array of cellular activities including membrane structure and organization, metabolic and gene regulation, protein structure and function, energy production, and signalling pathways. The lipid interests of scientists in the pharmaceutical and food industries are converging as the broader significance of bioactive lipids is increasingly recognized. Lipids and lipid-metabolizing enzymes are targeted for the development of new drugs. Meanwhile, functional foods, nutraceuticals and supplements already have lipids as major active ingredients. The food industry will progress from simply using lipids as ingredients, to the formulation of products that influence the synthesis, metabolism and effects of bioactive lipids in the body. These advances in applied lipid biochemistry will build on the fundamental research of lipid scientists in universities worldwide, such as those scientists contributing to Bioactive lipids.

This volume in the well-established Methods in Enzymology series features methods for the study of lipids using mass spectrometry techniques. Articles in this volume cover topics such as Qualitative Analysis and Quantitative Assessment of Changes in Neutral Glycerol Lipid Molecular Species within Cells; Glycerophospholipid identification and quantitation by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; Detection and Quantitation of Eicosanoids via High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry; Structure-specific, quantitative methods for "lipidomic" analysis of sphingolipids by tandem mass spectrometry; Analysis of Ubiquinones, Dolichols and Dolichol Diphosphate-Oligosaccharides by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry; Extraction and Analysis of Sterols in Biological Matrices by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry; The Lipid Maps Initiative in Lipidomics; Basic analytical systems for lipidomics by mass spectrometry in Japan; The European Lipidomics Initiative Enabling technologies; Lipidomic analysis of Signaling Pathways; Bioinformatics for Lipidomics; Mediator Lipidomics: Search Algorithms for Eicosanoids, Resolvins and Protectins; A guide to biochemical systems modeling of sphingolipids for the biochemist; and Quantitation and Standardization of Lipid Internal Standards for Mass Spectroscopy.

This volume in the well-established Methods in Enzymology series features methods for the study of lipids using mass spectrometry techniques. Articles in this volume cover topics such as Phospholipase A1 assays using a radio-labeled substrate and mass spectrometry; Real-time Cell Assays of Phospholipases A2 Using Fluorogenic Phospholipids; Analysis and Pharmacological Targeting of Phospholipase C â interactions with G proteins; Biochemical Analysis of Phospholipase D.; Measurement of Autotaxin/Lysophospholipase D Activity; Platelet-Activating Factor; Quantitative measurement of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3; Measuring Phosphorylated Akt And Other Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Regulated Phosphoproteins In Primary Lymphocytes; Regulation of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate 5-Kinase activity by partner proteins; Biochemical Analysis of Inositol Phosphate Kinases; Analysis of the phosphoinositides and their aqueous metabolites; Combination of C17-sphingoid base homologues and mass spectrometry analysis as a new approach to study sphingolipid metabolism; Measurement of mammalian sphingosine-1-phosphate phosphohydrolase activity in vitro and in vivo; A rapid and sensitive method to measure secretion of sphingosine-1-phosphate; Ceramide Kinase and Ceramide-1-Phosphate; Measurement of Mammalian Diacylglycerol Kinase Activity in vitro and in Cells; Lipid Phosphate Phosphatases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This book is about the various roles of bioactive ceramides and other sphingolipids in cellular biology. The enigmatic biophysical and biochemical properties of ceramides and their propensity to influence membranes whether as rafts or protein-permeable channels are heavily discussed. Metabolism of ceramides and their metabolites is also focused with ceramide synthase family of proteins being a target of extensive review. Ceramide 1-phosphate and other sphingolipids are also presented in cellular physiology and pathophysiology. Prokaryotic origins of mitochondria at the level of membranes and the occurrence of apoptosis in bacteria are presented. Many aspects of ceramide and sphingolipid biology are addressed in this book. Its focus is the metabolism of ceramide in normal and diseased states and the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms governing the bioactivity of these molecules. Sphingolipid research has surged over the past thirty years and this book gathers the recent findings of various aspects of sphingolipid biochemistry. World-renowned scientists from the field of lipid biology, specifically sphingolipid biochemistry, were gathered to write this book. Scholars from most continents of the globe committed to write diligently about their expertise and the newest findings in the relevant fields. This book came to fruition after almost a year and a half of laborious preparation and diligent writings. This book is targeted to the experienced reader who is looking to read about the various aspects of bioactive ceramide signaling, as well as to the newcomer into the field, as the topics are explained in concise yet very informative manner. The authors and editor wish all readers a pleasant time reading this volume, and are adamant that this book will meet all expectations.

Bioactive Lipids presents the topic of bioactive lipids from a functional food development perspective. This book explores the potential of dietary lipids to understand how such bioactive compounds can be used in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. The book includes case studies to enable readers to understand the potential of several dietary lipids and the possibilities regarding their incorporation into several food matrices. Bioactive Lipids will be a welcome reference for researchers, lecturers and students from the food science and nutrition fields. - Reviews the health benefits of several lipids and dietary sources, providing bioactive targets for therapeutic purposes - Provides readers with tools for the development of new lines of research and for supporting ongoing investigations - Includes case studies to present solutions for bioactive lipids incorporation into food matrices, and consequently to functional foods and nutraceuticals development

This reference work provides comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules presented in our daily food and their effect on the physical and mental state of our body. Although the concept of functional food is new, the consumption of selected food to attain a specific effect existed already in ancient civilizations, namely of China and India. Consumers are now more attentive to food quality, safety and health benefits, and the food industry is led to develop processed- and packaged-food, particularly in terms of calories, quality, nutritional value and bioactive molecules. This book covers the entire range of bioactive molecules presented in daily food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, bioactive molecules presented in wine, beer and cider. Concepts like French paradox, Mediterranean diet, healthy diet of eating fruits and vegetables, vegan and vegetarian diet, functional foods are described with suitable case studies. Readers will also discover a very timely compilation of methods for bioactive molecules analysis. Written by highly renowned scientists of the field, this reference work appeals to a wide readership, from graduate students, scholars, researchers in the field of botany, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and food industry to those involved in manufacturing, processing and marketing of value-added food products.

Lipid Second Messengers provides detailed methodology for analysis of various lipid signaling pathways. Authoritative contributors explain the factors that regulate lipid second messenger production by agonist-activated enzymes and examine their products. Topics discussed include procedures used to measure lipid-derived mediators such as lysophospholipids, arachidonic acid, eicosanoids, anandamide, and ceramides, and the enzymes responsible for generating these messengers, such as phospholipases, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases, and sphingomyelinase.