Energy Metabolism and Obesity: Research and Clinical Applications (Contemporary Endocrinology)

__Energy Metabolism and Obesity: Research and Clinical Applications__ is a compilation of highly informative reviews written by undisputed leaders in the field. These authors elucidate the most important aspects of genetic background, neuropeptide secretion and action, neuronal pathways, adipokines, gut hormones, and environmental influences (physical activity, pharmacologic agents, and surgical alteration of the gastrointestinal tract), as well as the complex interactions among them. Understanding the physiology of energy storage and partitioning has become quite a daunting task. This title enables researchers and clinicians to face the challenge of understanding this complex topic and applying the information to the practice of obesity prevention and treatment. The excellent overviews in this book will undoubtedly provide readers with a better understanding of the multifaceted entity of obesity.

Energy Metabolism and Obesity: Research and Clinical Applications is a compilation of highly informative reviews written by undisputed leaders in the field. These authors elucidate the most important aspects of genetic background, neuropeptide secretion and action, neuronal pathways, adipokines, gut hormones, and environmental influences (physical activity, pharmacologic agents, and surgical alteration of the gastrointestinal tract), as well as the complex interactions among them. Understanding the physiology of energy storage and partitioning has become quite a daunting task. This title enables researchers and clinicians to face the challenge of understanding this complex topic and applying the information to the practice of obesity prevention and treatment. The excellent overviews in this book will undoubtedly provide readers with a better understanding of the multifaceted entity of obesity.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Robert Michael Sargis, M.D., Ph.D.(University of Chicago Medical Center)
Description:This is a comprehensive review of the current scientific knowledge of the myriad factors that play a role in the development of obesity as well as some of the treatment modalities (both medical and surgical) that are used to treat this complex disorder.
Purpose:The editor has set forth an ambitious goal to provide a complete review of the current state of knowledge related to the pathogenesis and treatment of obesity. Given the burgeoning amount of data that is flooding the scientific literature regarding the development of obesity, this book seeks to bring together diverse disciplines in a single volume to make sense of this complex disease and, in the process, help us achieve a better understanding of the research and treatment questions that remain unanswered. In this way, the authors have collaborated to put together a worthy book to which interested readers can turn to get an assessment of the state of the science in a single source. In large part, they have met this ambitious goal.
Audience:This book is meant to offer those in the field a comprehensive overview of the diverse signaling cascades that have an important role in energy partitioning and the development of obesity. Readers from many levels will find this review helpful, including students, researchers, and others seeking to get an overview of the state of the science of obesity-related research. In addition, practitioners seeking an understanding of the direction in which obesity treatment might be moving will also find this book helpful. The quality of the authors lends credence to their assessments of the field, providing the book with a fair amount of authority.
Features:Beginning with an introduction to the monogenic and syndromic forms of human obesity, the book sets the stage for investigating the signaling cascades involved in energy metabolism and identifying potential sites of abnormalities that may trigger maladaptive energy deposition. The book reviews important molecular signaling pathways related to the relevant target tissues, including the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and adipose tissue. The book moves on to discuss the interplay of physical activity and genetics in determining the ultimate phenotype. Separate chapters are devoted to in-depth analysis of genetic and medication-induced obesity by looking at the Prader-Willi Syndrome and antipsychotics, respectively. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of therapeutic options through reviews of the surgical treatment of obesity as well as the role of metformin in modulating insulin resistance in adolescence. The book does an excellent job of hitting most of the relevant areas related to obesity research. As such, it's a good initial source for those seeking orientation to the field. Some of the chapters are particularly well written while also offering good coverage of complex topics. The chapters are extensively referenced, offering readers the sources that have paved the way to our current understanding of the science and may be of particular interest to those seeking an even greater depth of understanding. Generous illustrations help to graphically depict complex signaling cascades, and a series of color photographs provide graphical support to several chapters. As is the case in any compilation of reviews, the writing is a bit uneven with some chapters offering less clarity. As such, readers looking for reviews of specific topic areas will need to determine whether their topic is sufficiently covered. The wealth of references in all chapters, however, allows for quick referral to the primary literature to resolve any open questions. Overall, this book does a good job of bringing together an abundance of data to help readers understand the complex interplay of the various pathways involved in energy metabolism, satiety, hunger, and ultimately obesity.
Assessment:The book fills a unique niche, bringing together diverse disciplines that study the molecular mechanisms of obesity. There is no other book that seeks to make sense out of the flood of data that is emerging from this active field of study. It is particularly useful in orienting a novice to the complex questions that face the field of obesity research.

Front Matter....Pages I-XI Molecular Physiology of Monogenic and Syndromic Obesities in Humans....Pages 1-22 Leptin Signaling In the Brain....Pages 23-43 Inactivating Melanocortin 4 Receptor Mutations and Human Obesity....Pages 45-58 The Role of Central Melanocortins in Cachexia....Pages 59-68 The Efferent Arm of the Energy Balance Regulatory Pathway: Neuroendocrinology and Pathology....Pages 69-85 Adiponectin: A Multifunctional Adipokine....Pages 87-105 The Role of the Gastrointestinal Hormones Ghrelin, Peptide YY, and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 in the Regulation of Energy Balance....Pages 107-123 The Role of Growth Hormone Secretagogues and Ghrelin in Feeding and Body Composition....Pages 125-154 Interaction Between Physical Activity and Genetic Factors in Complex Metabolic Disease....Pages 155-173 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 and Obesity....Pages 175-196 Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Model of Disordered Energy Homeostasis....Pages 197-222 Antipsychotic Medication–Induced Weight Gain and Risk for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease....Pages 223-245 Treatment of Insulin Resistance in Youth: The Role of Metformin....Pages 247-267 The Surgical Approach to Morbid Obesity....Pages 269-296 Back Matter....Pages 297-302 Energy Metabolism and Obesity: Research and Clinical Applications is a compilation of highly informative reviews written by undisputed leaders in the field. These authors elucidate the most important aspects of genetic background, neuropeptide secretion and action, neuronal pathways, adipokines, gut hormones, and environmental influences (physical activity, pharmacologic agents, and surgical alteration of the gastrointestinal tract), as welt as the complex interactions among them Understanding the physiology of energy storage and partitioning has become quite a daunting task. This title enables researchers and clinicians to face the challenge of understanding this complex topic and applying the information to the practice of obesity prevention and treatment. The excellent overviews in this book will undoubtedly provide readers with a better understanding of the multifaceted entity of obesity. Feature: Unique, authoritative, comprehensive overviews of the most important aspects of energy metabolism and obesity, Provides penetrating insights on energy storage and partitioning for researchers and clinicians