Throughout the centuries, inflammation has been considered as a disease in itself. This misconception arose from the inability to distinguish between inflammatory changes and the insults which induce them. The understanding of the distinction between the genesis of inflammation and the tissue reactions that follow is attributed to JOHN HUNTER, who, at the end of the 18th century, substantially contributed to the analysis of inflammation in objective terms. Today, however, we are still trying to find explanations for Celsus' Signs in terms of structural and functional changes occurring in the inflamed tissue. There are drugs which modulate these signs but, without a detailed knowledge of the basic physiopathological events, it is impossible to understand their mechanism of action. Notwithstanding, the effects of anti inflammatory drugs provided new knowledge of the relevance of the signs and symptoms to the sequence of biochemical and morphological changes occurring in inflammation. When we accepted the invitation to edit a Handbook on Inflammation and Anti Inflammatory Drugs, we were aware of the magnitude of the task. We knew the impossibility of covering the whole field in detail, especially taking into account the rapid accumulation of experimental knowledge which would, in all likelihood, overtake the process of publication.

Klappentext

With contributions by numerous experts

Inhalt
Historical Survey of Definitions and Concepts of Inflammation.- References.- The Inflammatory Reaction.- 1 A Brief History of Inflammation.- 2 The Sequence of Early Events.- 3 Mononuclear Phagocytes in Inflammation.- 4 The Adhesion, Locomotion, and Chemotaxis of Leucocytes.- 5 Platelet Aggregation Mechanisms and Their Implications in Haemostasis and Inflammatory Disease.- 6 Regeneration and Repair.- 7 Immunological and Para-Immunological Aspects of Inflammation.- 8 The Release of Hydrolytic Enzymes From Phagocytic and Other Cells Participating in Acute and Chronic Inflammation.- 9 Lysosomal Enzymes.- 10 Lymphokines.- Inflammatory Mediators Released From Cells.- 11 Histamine, 5-Hydroxytryptamine, SRS-A: Discussion of Type I Hypersensitivity (Anaphylaxis).- 12 Prostaglandins and Related Compounds.- Inflammatory Mediators Generated by Activation of Plasma Systems.- 13 Complement.- 14 Bradykinin-System.- 15 Endogenous Modulators of the Inflammatory Response.- Contribution of the Inflammatory Mediators to the Signs and Symptoms of Inflammation.- 16 Inflammatory Mediators and Vascular Events.- 17 Pain and Inflammatory Mediators.- 18 Prostaglandins and Body Temperature.- Author Index.