Editor: Atta-ur-Rahman

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity

Volume 3

eBook: US $79 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $171
Printed Copy: US $131
Library License: US $316
ISSN: 2467-9607 (Print)
ISSN: 2352-3220 (Online)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-248-6 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-68108-247-9 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2016
DOI: 10.2174/97816810824791160301

Introduction

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity is an eBook series that brings updated reviews to readers interested in advances in the development of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of two metabolic diseases – diabetes and obesity. The scope of the eBook series covers a range of topics including the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and biochemistry of natural and synthetic drugs affecting endocrine and metabolic processes linked with diabetes and obesity. Reviews in this series also include research on specific receptor targets and pre-clinical / clinical findings on novel pharmaceutical agents. Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity is a valuable resource for pharmaceutical scientists and postgraduate students seeking updated and critically important information for developing clinical trials and devising research plans in the field of diabetes and obesity research.

The third volume of this series features 5 chapters that cover a variety of topics including:

  • - Exendin-4 and its derivatives
  • - The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor system
  • - Insulin and cardiovascular function
  • - Diabetes mellitus related infertility
  • - Adipocytokines as markers of insulin resistance

Preface

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research – Diabetes and Obesity Volume 3 comprises five comprehensive chapters on novel approaches to combat diabetes and obesity. In Chapter 1, Zhang et al. review the research on Extendin-4, a short peptide derived from lizard saliva, which has been used to treat diabetes and obesity. Insulin-like growth factor and growth hormone are two biochemical agents that play a role in diabetes and obesity. In Chapter 2, Moira S. Lewitt reviews the role of these two hormones in the management of diabetes and obesity.

Patients with long term diabetes suffer from heart problems and other organs are also affected. These problems have been attributed to physiological conditions brought about by the long term effects of insulin resistance on the body which result in hyperglycemic conditions and the presence of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. In Chapter 3, Niels Juel Christensen presents a comprehensive review on insulin’s effects on capillary permeability in muscle endothelial cells and in podocytes in the kidney.

In Chapter 4, Oliveira et al. present an interesting review on diabetes induced male infertility and pharmaceutical research being conducted to address it. The authors cover the physiology of male infertility, the epigenetics of diabetes induced changes to male gametes and the potential drug targets for treating this condition.

In Chapter 5, Katarzyna Zorena discusses the role of adipocytokines in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The author points out that monitoring concentrations of adipocytokines in the blood can be beneficial for detecting insulin resistance which leads to diabetes. Understanding adipocytokines biochemistry could be the key to prevent the early onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

I am very thankful to all the authors for their outstanding contributions. I would also like to appreciate the efforts of the dedicated team of Bentham Science Publishers, especially Dr. Faryal Sami (Assistant Manager Publications), Mr. Shehzad Naqvi (Senior Manager Publications) and Mr. Mahmood Alam (Director Publications).

Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS
Honorary Life Fellow
Kings College
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
UK

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