This book summarizes the most recent progress in the studies of lipid mediators from the
molecular to clinical level and introduces newly created tools for analysis including imaging
mass spectrometry. Comprising 29 chapters divided into four major parts the book describes the
molecular natures of enzymes transporters and receptors for lipid mediators (Part I) the
function of lipid mediators in Drosophila and Zebrafish (Part II) the relationships between
lipid mediators and various diseases (Part III) and detailed procedures of extraction
preparation and quantification of lipid mediators (Part IV). Research on lipid mediators
initially started with analysis of the action of aspirin and subsequent biochemical
experiments identified many enzymes and receptors responsible for the biosynthesis and signal
transduction of individual lipid mediators. Through the phenotypic analyses of transgenic and
knockout mice it has been shown that the dysregulation of some lipid mediatorscauses
inflammatory immune or oncogenic disorders. Lipid mediators have attracted increased
attention because their structures are conserved among different species and their
biosynthetic and signaling pathways have been deciphered at the molecular level. Many drugs
that target lipid mediators are already being used in hospitals and this book suggests further
possibilities for development of a wide variety of such drugs. Very recently highly sensitive
mass spectrometry has begun to be used to identify novel lipid mediators that are present only
in trace amounts in tissues but with robust biological activity. Written by international
experts this book provides readers a comprehensive view of lipid mediators and related topics
and helps in the process of determining research targets for the near future.
