Physiology and Pharmacology of Biological Rhythms (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 125)

Measured by any criteria, research in chronobiology in general and chronopharmacology in particular has expanded rapidly in recent years. This expansion has been paralleled by an increasing recognition by those outside the field of the relevance and significance of recent developments in chronobiology. Advances in two areas have been chiefly responsible. First, application of the full range of modern techniques in behavioral, neurochemical, and molecular biology have greatly improved our understanding of basic clock mechanisms. In several species the genetic basis of the circadian clock is being progressively delineated. A complete picture of the neurochemical and neuroanatomical structure of the mammalian clock is emerging and the complex pattern of control mechanisms involving endogenous clock mechan­ isms and photic and nonphotic zeitgebers is being built up as a result of behavioral studies. Secondly, in parallel with these exciting developments in basic science, clinical applications are being convincingly demonstrated in the general fields of pharmacology and medicine as well as in specific areas, e.g., jet lag, shiftwork maladaption syndrome, blindness, and cardiovascular system. It is therefore an opportune time to review progress in the field of chronopharmacology and to introduce some of the exciting developments and prospects to a readership beyond the confines of the chronobiological cognoscenti. This volume is therefore aimed primarily at the pharmacologist - whether basic, applied, or clinical-who is not a specialist in chronobiology. Front Matter....Pages I-XXIV The Vertebrate Clock: Localisation, Connection and Entrainment....Pages 1-28 Regulation of Cell Division Cycles by Circadian Oscillators: Signal Transduction Between Clocks....Pages 29-53 Genetics and Molecular Biology of Circadian Clocks....Pages 55-77 Chemical Neuroanatomy of the Mammalian Circadian System....Pages 79-93 Chronobiology of Development and Aging....Pages 95-134 Rhythms in Second Messenger Mechanisms....Pages 135-156 5-Hydroxytryptamine and Noradrenaline Synthesis, Release and Metabolism in the Central Nervous System: Circadian Rhythms and Control Mechanisms....Pages 157-176 Rhythms in Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion....Pages 177-204 Progress in the Chronotherapy of Nocturnal Asthma....Pages 205-249 Chronopharmacology of Cardiovascular Diseases....Pages 251-297 Chronopharmacology of Anticancer Agents....Pages 299-331 The Endocrine System and Diabetes....Pages 333-350 Gastrointestinal Tract....Pages 351-373 The Pineal Gland, Circadian Rhythms and Photoperiodism....Pages 375-414 Problems in Interpreting the Effects of Drugs on Circadian Rhythms....Pages 415-434 Rhythms in Retinal Mechanisms....Pages 435-455 Circadian Rhythms and Depression: Clinical and Experimental Models....Pages 457-486 Chronobiology and Chronopharmacology of the Haemopoietic System....Pages 487-532 Chronobiology of the Haemostatic System....Pages 533-555 New Trends in Chronotoxicology....Pages 557-588 Chronopharmacology of H 1 -Receptor Antagonists: Experimental and Clinical Aspects (Allergic Diseases)....Pages 589-606 Local Anaesthetics....Pages 607-618 Biological Rhythms in Pain and Analgesia....Pages 619-649 Back Matter....Pages 651-668 This volume provides a concise and accessible account of recent developments in chronobiology and of the implications and applications of chronobiological principles in pharmacology and medicine. The molecular biology and genetics of circadian clocks are considered along with the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of the vertebrate clock. Recent advances in our understanding of entrainment mechanisms are also described. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of chronobiology in pharmacology and therapeutics, and the existence of biological rhythms in physiological and pathological processes.