Pergamon Comprehensive Toxicology, Volume 9: Hepatic and Gastrointestinal Toxicology (Volume 9)

This volume, which is separated into two parts, presents important new information concerning mechanisms of effect and consequences of exposure of the liver and gastrointestinal tract to a wide variety of toxicants. Both sections on the liver and GI tract provide the reader with concise introductory descriptions of relevant cellular and organ anatomy, physiology, and mechanisms of toxic injury. Specific consideration is given to methods of toxin exposure and to processes that provide defence against injury. The discussions provide a broad focus but also contain details about molecular, cellular, and biochemical mechanisms. The section on the liver (34 chapters) provides a comprehensive review of the toxic effects of a wide variety of specific compounds including volatile hydrocarbons, anesthetic agents, drugs of therapeutic value as well as of abuse, heavy metals, natural compounds etc. The section on the gastrointestinal tract (15 chapters), presenting toxicology of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon, represents the first major reference work available that provides both a broad overview of the effect of toxicants on the mucosal, motility, and immune functions of the GI tract as well as specific information about specific toxicants. The final chapter presents an overview of clinical toxicology in animals with specific focus on the liver and gastrointestinal systems. This volume is of specific interest and use to those concerned with environmental and industrial toxicology, as well as with mechanisms of toxicant injury and clinical medicine.