Fat-Soluble Vitamins

The subject for a volume on the fat-soluble vitamins needs no justification considering the importance of this group of nutrients and the rate of expan sion of our knowledge of its role in cell biology, genetics, and disease. The level of our understanding has clearly moved from knowing what fat soluble vitamins do to how they perform their functions. Hand in hand with a knowledge of their molecular mechanisms of action is the recognition that vitamins are used sparingly, and regeneration processes operate in certain cases to recycle vitamins from their metabolites. We have divided the volume into alphabetical sections beginning with vitamin A and the carotenoids through vitamins D, E, F, and K, and ending with coenzyme Q. The contributors are all acknowledged experts in their particular fields and have made significant contributions to published research results. All have worked assiduously to deliver the product of their labors on a restricted time scale and to provide the most up-to date information on their respective topics. We are truly grateful for their indulgence.

Zusammenfassung
`The heterogeneity of topics...is very ambitious, and the result is, overall, successful because of the high quality of the individual contributors.'
American Scientist

`Well produced, well referenced and has a good index; it should become a standard reference work.'
Analyst

Inhalt
I: Vitamin A.- 1 Control of Retinoid Nuclear Receptor Function and Expression.- 2 Retinoid Endocrinology: From Metabolism to Cellular Signaling.- 3 Structure and Function of Retinoid-Binding Proteins.- 4 The Role of Retinoids in Developmental Mechanisms in Embryos.- 5 Antioxidant Activity of Vitamin A within Lipid Environments.- 6 Plasma Vitamins A and E in HIV-Positive Patients.- II: Carotenoids.- 7 The Bioconversion of ?-Carotene into Retinoids.- 8 The Role of Carotenoids in Modulating DNA Stability and Lipid Peroxidation: Importance for Human Health.- 9 ?-Carotene: An Antioxidant or a Target of Oxidative Stress in Cells?.- 10 Biophysical Properties of Carotenoids.- III: Vitamin D.- 11 The Role of Vitamin D3 and Antiestrogens in Modulating Apoptosis of Breast Cancer Cells and Tumors.- 12 Vitamin D and Intracellular Calcium.- IV: Vitamin E.- 13 Antioxidant Chemistry of ?-Tocopherol in Biological Systems: Roles of Redox Cycles and Metabolism.- 14 Localization of Vitamin E in Membranes.- 15 The Molecular Action of ?-Tocopherol in Lipoprotein Lipid Peroxidation: Pro- and Antioxidant Activity of Vitamin E in Complex Heterogeneous Lipid Emulsions.- 16 Vitamin E: Its Role in Aging.- V: Vitamin F.- 17 The Role of Linoleic Acid in Endothelial Cell Gene Expression: Relationship to Atherosclerosis.- 18 Lipidic Signaling and Peroxisomal Function.- VI: Vitamin K.- 19 Vitamin K Metabolism.- VII: Coenzyme Q.- 20 Role of Coenzyme Q and Superoxide in Vitamin E Cycling.- 21 Prooxidant Functions of Coenzyme Q.