Written by the foremost authority in the field, this volume is a comprehensive review of the multifaceted phenomenon of hepatotoxicity. Dr. Zimmerman examines the interface between chemicals and the liver; the latest research in experimental hepatotoxicology; the hepatotoxic risks of household, industrial, and environmental chemicals; and the adverse effects of drugs on the liver. This thoroughly revised, updated Second Edition features a greatly expanded section on the wide variety of drugs that can cause liver injury. For quick reference, an appendix lists these medications and their associated hepatic injuries. Also included are in-depth discussions of drug metabolism and factors affecting susceptibility to liver injury.

Brain aminergic pathways are organized in parallel and interacting systems, which support a range of functions, from homoeostatic regulations to cognitive, and motivational processes. Despite overlapping functional influences, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and histamine systems provide different contributions to these processes. The histaminergic system, long ignored as a major regulator of the sleep-wake cycle, has now been fully acknowledged also as a major coordinator of attention, learning and memory, decision making. Although histaminergic neurons project widely to the whole brain, they are functionally heterogeneous, a feature which may provide the substrate for differential regulation, in a region-specific manner, of other neurotransmitter systems. Neurochemical preclinical studies have clearly shown that histamine interacts and modulates the release of neurotransmitters that are recognized as major modulators of cognitive processing and motivated behaviours. As a consequence, the histamine system has been proposed as a therapeutic target to treat sleep-wake disorders and cognitive dysfunctions that accompany neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory pathologies. Last decades have witnessed an unexpected explosion of interest in brain histamine system, as new receptors have been discovered and selective ligands synthesised. Nevertheless, the complete picture of the histamine systems fine-tuning and its orchestration with other pathways remains rather elusive. This Research Topic is intended to offer an inter-disciplinary forum that will improve our current understanding of the role of brain histamine and provide the fundamentals necessary to drive innovation in clinical practice and to improve the management and treatment of neurological disorders.

This book illustrates the current state-of-the-art in histamine research, with a focus on the appropriate methodologies to investigate the pharmacological properties and the therapeutic exploitation of HRs and their ligands. In addition, the range of techniques described provides an introduction to complementary cross-methodological disciplines beyond these fields. This multi-disciplinary approach is required to define the ‘decision gates’ that determine the development of more effective and safer therapeutic options for many forms of highly prevalent and debilitating diseases, such as asthma, dementias, dermatitis, and arthritis. Written for the Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology series, chapters concentrate on practical, hands-on protocols from experts in the techniques. Authoritative and thorough, Histamine Receptors as Drug Targets seeks to aid pharmacologists, biochemists, drug discovery researchers, molecular biologists, chemists, toxicologists, lab scientists, medical doctors, principle investigators, research scientists, lab directors and technicians, as well as graduate students around the world in pursuing the study of this vital scientific area.

A comprehensive and detailed overview of the current state of preclinical research on histamine and histamine receptors. Part of the book focuses on novel approaches to the study of histamine receptors such as polymorphism, genetic linkage, and computational analysis, and on the use of new histaminergic ligands in diseases such as asthma and dermatitis. Several chapters will be devoted to the role of histamine in the control of homeostatic and behavioral responses such as the sleep-wake cycle, regulation of the blood brain barrier, food intake, alertness, itch, and memory formation and consolidation.

The year 2010 marks the centennial for the identification of histamine and the first glimpse of its many physiological functions. From these initial findings a rich tapestry of research has uncovered roles for histamine in almost every physiological process with new findings emerging every year. These diverse roles of histamine have made for fertile ground for the discovery of novel therapeutics, and these drugs have been so successful that the term “antihistamine” has entered the common lexicon. This volume is an attempt to give a snapshot in time as to the current understanding of the role of histamine in just one important therapeutic area—inflammation. The first three chapters provide some background context for the rest of the book starting out with a historical perspective by Figueroa and Shankley. Bongers et al provide an overview of the pharmacology of the four histamine receptors and the chapter by Hiroshi Ohtsu describes how histamine is synthesized as well as the insights derived from mice where this synthesis is disrupted. The next several chapters discuss disease areas where histamine is known to be involved. Chapter 4 by Thomas Taylor-Clark outlines the role of histamine in allergic rhinitis, an area were antihistamines are commonly used. This is also true for ocular allergy as discussed by Ohbayashi et al. Both of these chapters highlight aspects of these conditions that are still not well-controlled and suggest the utility of new antihistamines targeting other histamine receptors.

Together with the two previous volumes of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on histamine and antihistamines the present publication yields a picture of a still rapidly developing field of research. New techniques and new experimental approaches have brought us new knowledge and deeper insight into the biomedical significance of histamine, even if many questions remain to be answered about the functional and medical implications of this old biogenic amine. The present volume covers the progress in histamine research during the past two decades. A significant chapter concerns techniques for histamine determination. As the result of a consensus meeting in Munich in December 1988, a panel of eminent specialists arrived at common recommendations as to the usefulness of the available histamine assays for the most common experimental biomedical conditions. The heterogeneity of mast cells, with great differences in their reactivity to various stimuli, has become apparent, not only among species but also among the tissues of a species. New informa tion is presented about the mechanism of exocytosis. The old questions about the role of histamine in the mechanism of gastric secretion and in cardio vascular and respiratory functions have been studied with new techniques, and the role of HI and H2 receptors discussed. New observations have been made on the occurrence and possible functions of histaminergic neurons and histamine receptors in CNS where a new type of receptor, the H , seems to 3 be widely represented.

Pharmacology of Histamine Receptors presents a summary of the pharmacology of histamine receptors. It discusses the research and developments made in the use of histamine. It addresses the biological actions of the drug in various pathological instances. Some of the topics covered in the book are the classification of histamine receptors; mepyramine and related histamine antagonists; activity relationships of drugs acting at histamine receptors; chemical structure of histamine; effects of methyl substituents in histamine; enzymes involved in histamine metabolism; and histamine in body fluids. The cellular sources of histamine in tissues and blood are fully covered. The relationship of the mast cell to basophil is discussed in detail. The text describes in depth the urinary excretion of histamine and metabolites. The pathological conditions in man are presented completely. A chapter is devoted to the fundamental properties of adenylate cyclase and its measurement. The book can provide useful information to pharmacists, doctors, chemists, students, and researchers.