Mitochondrial Dysfunction

In the tradition of ''Methods in Enzymology'' and ''Methods in Neurosciences'', Academic Press is producing a new serial- ''Methods in Toxicology''. There is a pressing need among researchers involved in toxicologic investigation for a series of publications that organizes and presents information on the latest experimental methodologies. To address the needs of researchers in toxicology, toxicologic pathology, pharmacology and clinical biochemistry, this new serial provides comprehensive descriptions of state-of-the-art methods for evaluating drug and chemical toxicity. Thematic volumes focus on mechanistic approaches to the study of toxicity both in vitro and in vivo, taking advantage of the recent advances in the biological and chemical sciences that allow closer scrutiny of the mechanisms by which chemical agents cause organismic or cellular damage. Each volume begins with an introductory chapter that offers a broad guide to the application of methods addressed in that volume. Subsequent chapters contain detailed descriptions of research protocols, accessible both to experts and those new to toxicologic investigation. Each chapter includes clearly defined procedures, discussions of limitations of the method, comparative considerations (species, sex, strain), interpretations of results and explanations of how the methods may act as alternatives to in vivo testing. Each volume of ''Methods in Toxicology'' will be available in case binding for the library and wire-o-binding for the laboratory. Disruption of mitochondrial energy-production occurs commonly during cell injury and death. Efforts to understand mechanisms involved in toxic cell injury and to develop protective treatments therefore require a definition of the role of mitochondrial function. This volume approaches mitochondrial preparation and functional assessment from the perspective of toxic cell injury, with chapters contributed by experts representing a great diversity of biomedical disciplines. It is conveniently divided into six sections, addressing general methods, in vivo assessment structure, detoxification and metabolic targets, bioenergetic and transport functions, and genetic analysis. The variety of approaches and subjects reflects the fundamental importance of mitochondria in aerobic cell survival. This volume should thus provide a useful contemporary collection of papers critical to the research of all who are investigating mechanisms of cell injury