Title	Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions [electronic resource] / edited by R. Michael Pittilo, Samuel J. Machin
Imprint	London : Springer London, 1988
Connect to	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1455-0
Descript	XIV, 198p. 55 illus. online resource

The publication of Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions, the second monograph in the Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science, is particuยญ larly welcome as its appearance signifies the further development of the Series and its potential for the future. The theme of this monograph is the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, a topic that symbolises the aim of the Series, namely to highlight the important interfaces between basic medical science and clinical practice. Our congratulations to the Editors and contributors. London, December 1987 lack Tinker Preface In the Western world, atherosclerosis causes more illness and death than any other disease. Despite its devastating effects, the pathogenesis of the disease remains a matter for hypothesis and conยญ jecture. This monograph owes its conception to a programme of work directed towards understanding the basic pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The circulatory system is lined by vascular endothelium which has a central role in maintaining the integrity of the vessel wall and preventยญ ing thrombosis. The natural equilibrium existing between normal enยญ dothelium which supports blood flow, and platelets which serve to reยญ pair damaged endothelium, is explored in the first two chapters. Atherosclerosis developing as a response to endothelial injury is one hypothesis which has stimulated widespread interest, and reยญ search has largely been directed towards finding the injurious agent

1 The Platelet -- Morphology -- Platelet Function -- Biochemistry -- Platelet Coagulant Activity -- 2 Endothelium and the Vessel Wall -- General Introduction -- General Structure of the Vessel Wall -- Vascular Endothelium -- Endothelial Permeability -- Synthetic and Metabolic Functions -- Endothelial Regeneration -- Endothelial Injury -- 3 The Use of Cultured Endothelial Cells in the Study of Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions -- The Culturing of Vascular Endothelial Cells -- Growth Factors -- Extracellular Matrix Proteins -- Arachidonic Acid Metabolism -- In Vitro Assessment of Platelet Interaction with the VesselWall -- Assessment of Cytotoxicity using Cultured Endothelial Cells -- The Effect of Nicotine on Endothelial Cells -- Conclusion -- 4 Smoking and Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions -- The Effects of Cigarette Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Nicotine on Endothelial Morphology and Platelet-Endothelial Cell Interactions -- Cigarette Smoking and Platelet Aggregation -- Cigarette Smoking and Endothelial Cell Prostacyclin Production -- Novel Methods for Studying the Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Endothelium and Platelets -- Conclusions -- 5 Mesothelium as a Non-thrombogenic Surface -- Embryology -- Morphology -- Function -- Mesothelium as an Endothelium Substitute -- 6 Platelet-Endothelial Interactions in Renal Injury -- I. Potential Role for Platelets in Mediating Renal Injury -- to Renal Injury -- Evidence for Platelet Involvement in Glomerular Injury in Man -- How Platelets may Contribute to Renal Injury -- Mechanisms of Platelet Activation -- Role of Platelets in Experimental Models of Renal Injury -- II. Disorders of Platelet Function in Different Renal Diseases -- Nephrotic Syndrome -- Acute Renal Failure -- Pre-eclampsia -- Uraemia -- Dialysis -- 7 Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Review -- Aetiology -- Pathology -- Pathogenesis -- Haemostatic Changes in Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome -- Treatment -- 8 Newer Pharmacological Agents -- Inhibition of Arachidonic Acid Pathway/Reduction of Synthesis of Thromboxane A2 -- Thromboxane Receptor Blockade -- Inhibition of Calcium Fluxes -- Elevation of Intra-Platelet Cyclic AMP Levels -- Protection of Endogenous Prostacyclin Release -- Promotion of Endogenous Prostacyclin Release -- Supplementation of Endogenous Prostacyclin -- Other Agents