Methods in Studying Cardiac Membranes I-II. [antikvár]

PREFACEll is becoming cleai' tlial various mcmbianc sysleiiis arc inliiiialcly involved in ihc regulation of cardiac contraction and relaxation processes. Alternations in dilTerent membrane functions have also been shown to be associated with Ihc pathogenesis of heart disease. Furthermore, there is an increased tendency to explain (he mechanisms of action of cardioactive drugs in terms ol' membrane receptors and changes in membrane-bound enzyme activities. Thus the study of biomembranes can be seen to represent one ofthe most important and active fields in experimental cardiology and this view is rcnected by remarkable advances in technology for the preparation and investigation of heart membranes. It is therefore quite timely to devote two volumes of this book to Methods in Studying Cardiac Membranes. The first volume includes methods for the preparation, purification, and characterization of cardiac membranes including sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. In addition, methods for the study of properties of membrane-bound enzymes, cation transport systems, substrate transport, and membrane permeability are included. The second volume contains electrophysiological, cytochemical, physiochemical, and radio-isotopic methods for studying membrane architecture and function in cardiac muscle preparations. In addition, methods for determining membrane receptors and associated enzyme systems as well as for the isolation and purification of membrane-bound enzymes have been described. It is hoped that these multidisciplinary books will be an invaluable reference source for cardiovascular physiologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, pathologists, and investigative cardiologists (both students and scientists) whose studies include the use of heart muscle.Each volume of Methods in Studying Cardiac Membranes contains several specific topics which are selected to present a relatively wide scope of techniques being employed in this field. This first volume contains 19 chapters which have been grouped under four categories namely preparation and properties of heart membranes and myocytes, heart mitochondrial functions, heart membrane Ca-+ transport and phosphorylation, and heart membrane fluidity, permeability, and substrate transport. The second volume has 17 chapters which have been grouped under three sections namely heart membrane structure and morphology, heart membrane receptor mechanisms, and cation movements in myocardium. All topics are written by experts with proven skills and competence in studying cardiac biology. Special emphasis has been placed on various methods most often used to evaluate the integrity of cardiac membrane systems in health and disease as well as the site of drug action on heart. Each chapter has been written in a clear, easy-to-follow format and describes one or more procedures for the particular topic. A concise description of the theoretical basis for each procedure is followed where necessary by a description of the exact experimental conditions of the assay system. Typical examples of results with each procedure are provided for comparative purposes and the significance of each result is illustrated in terms of cardiac function. Drawbacks and strengths of each procedure are pointed out for the benefit and examination of the reader whereas selected references are provided for each topic for further background and documentation. Attempts have been made to understand the molecular mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction and improving the therapeutics of heart disease. The material given in these books is hoped to stimulate further research in discovering the subcellular basis of myocardial function.