Exercise is the act of increasing metabolic rate for the purpose of enhancing physical fitness. Exercise can be one of the most stressful physiological responses that the body undertakes. With exercise, there are increases in metabolic rate, heart rate, blood flow (hyperemia), respiration, and heat production. The increased metabolic requirement during exercise is well met by an increased blood flow (functional hyperemia) and oxygen supply to the exercising tissue, which is regulated by multiple local and systemic mechanisms. The local mechanisms (factors) are responsible for mediating the...

The mammalian gastrointestinal mucosa is a rapidly self-renewing tissue in the body, and its homeostasis is preserved through the strict regulation of epithelial cell proliferation, growth arrest, and apoptosis. The control of the growth of gastrointestinal mucosa is unique and, compared with most other tissue in the body, complex. Mucosal growth is regulated by the same hormones that alter metabolism in other tissues, but the gastrointestinal mucosa also responds to host events triggered by the ingestion and presence of food within the digestive tract. These gut hormones and peptides...

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex and dynamic structure that protects the brain from cells within the vasculature, from the immune system and from pathogens. This barrier is present in arterioles, capillaries and venules and is formed at the level of adjacent endothelial cells, which are coupled to astrocytes, microglia, neurons and pericytes. The structure of this endothelial barrier is unique among endothelia of other organ systems and is composed of complexes made up of tight, gap and adherens junctions. In addition, it is the responsibility of the surrounding cellular elements to...

Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta.

Focuses on the structural, biochemical, and diverse functional properties of the endothelial luminal membrane glycocalyx, an organelle which constitutes the endothelial cell "membrane". This volume provides the newcomer with a broad, basic, and brief perspective of the luminal endothelial vascular membrane, and for the more established investigator, a basic overview and integrated perspective.

Pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening disease with no known cure. This volume provides a concise yet comprehensive review of the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The underlying signaling mechanisms involved in pulmonary vascular remodeling and the exaggerated vascular contractility are discussed in depth.