Book Reviews glands, nor in skeletal muscle, and this was supported by Schachter; however, Hilton thought that, bradykinin-kallidin played a role in vasodilatation of salivary glands. Kroeger and Krivoy presented evidence that bradykinin aiid kallidin may This volume contains the transactions of the Second >\leeling act on cell membranes, modulating tissue excitability and chang( i f the International Study Groiip for Steroid Hormones, held in ing permeability. Haefely, et al., showed that bradykinin and ltorne, December 17-19, 1965. The scientific sessions dealt’ angiotensin facilitated superior cervical ganglion transmission with Estrogens in Pregnancy (four lectures, eleven communicaaiid augmented the ganglion-stimulating effect of acetylcholine, 1 ions), Methodology in St,eroid Estimation (four lectures, sixbut these actions did not’ involve release of catecholamines. The teen communications), followed by a round table conference on three following papers described the potentiation of smooth Steroidal dntifertility Agents (thirty papers with discussions). muscle response to bradykinin, by chymotrypsin, human fibrinoItome is of course a very attract,ive place for international peptide B, and a component, possibly a peptide, isolated from meetings and the presence in s i t u of a dedicated and highly venom of Bothrops jararaca. Konzett and Bauer reported that cliialified group of organizers could not fail to provide an interbradykinin, kallidin, and eledoisin increased pulmonary arterial esting and successful program. A great, number of the papers pressure by vasoconst,riction, but did not increase vascular perarid communications have since appeared in the periodical literameability in isolated perfused lung (Hauge, Lunde, and Waaler). t lire, but this reviewer appreciated the convenience of having Physalaemin was reported to be the most active vasodilator them collected in a single volume. The timely appearance of known, having direct smooth muscle relaxing action o n rethe transactions only a few months after the meeting, the excelsistance vessels. This vasodilat.ation occurred mainly in musculolence of t,he editing, print,ing, and indexing commend this book cutaneous vessels. Other papers included the effects of bradyas a valuablo addition to most research libraries. kinin on ventricular-conducting system of dog heart, microcirhi’Elts‘T 1:ES E.\RCH L.\BOI~.iTOItIES I:OM.\.UO DEOHENCEII culatory effects of polypeptides, and the role of kinins in pancreatic disease, intestinal strangulation, fibrinolysis, myocardial A I o ~ n m i C.~N.\DA ~, infarcts, trypanosome infection, and carcinoid syndrome. The last section was devoted to substance P, including purification by Zuber and the separation of two biologically active principles from brain substance P preparations by Meinardi Hypotensive Peptides. Proceedings of the International Symand Craig. Zetler demonstrated that fraction F,, an acidic poaium, Florence, Italy, Oct 1965. Edited by E. G. ERDOP, fraction of crude substance P preparations from brain, acted by N. B ~ c K F. , SICUTERI,and A. F. WILDE. Springer Verlag, releasing acetylcholine from postganglionic neurones of intestinal Iiic., S e w York, N. Y. 1966. xxvi 660 pp. 23.5 X 16.5 wall, while fraction F, and F h , basic fractions, act directly. FI, cm. $18.60. is identical with purified substance P. Stern reported the sedative action of substance P and suggested that it may be mediated This volume contains 62 papers presented a t the International by serot,onin. SJmposium on Hypotensive Peptides, held in Florence, Italy, in Over-all, the symposium is a worthwhile addition to the literaOctober 1965 and updates the work in this field since the meeting ture on hypotetisive peptides, reviewitig in one place recetit wfot,k of the Yew York Academy of Sciences in 1962. Most of the on this subject up t,o t.he middle of 1965. 111 a rapidly c*harigiiig hypotensive peptides are covered including bradykinin, kallidin, a d advancing field, it is worthwhile to sit back every few years eledoisin, gastrin, physalaemin, and substance P, and the enzyme and summarize where one staiids. kallikrein . The first Dart of the svmoosium dealt with the chemistrv of CLEVELAND CLISIC PHILII~ A. KII.IIILILL.W peptides. ?;Ierrifield presenied his automated peptide synthesis, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106 with which a protected bradykinin nonapeptide was synthesized in 32 hr of continuous operation. Stewart and Woolley reported the synthesis of over 40 analogs of bradykinin and showed that 5,8-di-O-methyltgrosine bradykinin, where 0-methyltyrosine Chemistry and Applied Pharmacology of Tranquilizers. A replaces phenylalanine, is a potent inhibitor of bradykinin action Primer for Students and Practitioners. By ERWIN LEAR. o n isolated rat uterus, causing 90% inhibition a t a concentration Charles C ’Thomas, Publisher, Spriiigfield, Ill. 1966. xi of 10-0. Erspamer’s group reported the isolation of a smooth 117 pp. 16 X 24 cm. muscle stimulating peptide phyllokinin, a bradykinylisoleucyltyrosine sulfate which has bradykinin-like biological properties. This reviewer’s experience with at least the youtiger yetieratioti The next section dealt with enzymes forming and destroying of physicians points to the fact that practitioiiers are a scienhypotensive peptides, arid isolation of pept’ide precursors, the tifically pretty sophisticated group who have ret’ained an askiiiitiogeris. Habermann viewed studies on different enzymes t,onishing amount of knowledge from their bulky and high-level which release kinins and Pierce and Webster reported the puritexts on pharmacology. I t comes, therefore, as a surprise to fication and properties of two different kallidinogens from human find in this slender primer, a treatment, on psychopharmacologiplasma. Suzuki, et al., spoke on the purification of bradycal agents inadequate for the practitioner and misleading for the kininogen aud enzymes iii snake venom. They postulated that student. I t represents I I more ~ than an uncritical compilatioti of 1)radykirlin is not located a t either end of the polypeptide chain of data on drugs as they may be foriiid i n the manufacturers’ i r i hradykitiitiogen, and have isolated two bradykinin-destroyitig formation paniphlets. Although the book is entitled “tratiquiletizymes from snake venom. Vogt showed that two separate izers,” the inirodurtion contains biochemical proposals for the kinin-forming systems exist in human plasma, each consisting origin of hallucinations and meiital diaease, in which the abanof a separate enzyme and substrate. These enzymes occur iii doned adrenochrome and homoveratrylamine hypotheses are plasma as inactive proenzymes, and are activated by acid or reaffirmed. Included in the book is also a one-page remark on contact with glass. Werle arid his group, arid Erdas and Yang hydrazine-type antidepressants; other compounds used for such studied kinin-destroying enzymes, the kiniiiases, and their inactivity are not mentioned, although one other such drug ( p 38) hibitors. I n general, inhibition of kininases in vivo potentiated has been grouped with structurally analogous phenothiazines. the biological action of kinins, while intravenous injections of The phenothiazines themselves are fairly well reviewed but on a carboxypeptidase B blocked the cardiovarcitlui~effert.s of tirttdytherapeutically primitive level. kitiin niid kallidin! probably by rapidly hydrolyzitig the peptides. The only vrtluable feature of the book is a good bibliography The next section covered physiology, pharmacology, and which students may use to search for more detailed informaliathology of hypotensive peptides, including a paper by Spragg, tion. Otherwise this volume can bat,ely be recommended. I latier, a i d husteti on radioimmunoassay of bradykiriiti. \Vebst,er felt that the kallikreiri-kallidiri sysLeni was not respurisible for UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINI.4 fuiictiutial vasodilatatiori in salivary, sweat, aiid pancreatic CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINI.1
Research on Steroids. Volume 11. Edited by C. C ~ s s a x o . I1 Perisiero Scietitifico, Rome. 1‘366. xv 553 pp. 16 X 23 em.
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