Nitric Oxide and the Peripheral Nervous System. Edited by N. TODA, S. MONCADA, R. FURCHGOTT and E. A. HIGGS. Pp. 200. Portland Press Ltd, 2000. £85.00 hardback. ISBN 1 85578 139 5.

This is a timely text that provides an overview of the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The volume consists of ten chapters. The main focus is on the distribution of neuronal NOS in various nitrergic systems, and the role played by NO as a paracrine and autocrine agent in various physiological and pathophysiological states. Specifically, chapter 1 provides a thorough review of the basic histochemistry of NO in the PNS. The molecular biology of NOS and the use of NOS knockout models to study physiological function are well illustrated in chapter 2. What is not stressed is that different isoforms of NOS may sit in other cell types besides the tissue specific site suggested by the name of the isoform, and that as well as producing NO, superoxide anions may also be generated, thereby potentially complicating interpretation of data. Chapter 3 paints an important role for nitrergic nerves in the control of vascular tone, although there is no mention of the role played by NO in hypoxic and hypercapnia regulation of the peripheral circulation or its role in the peripheral autonomic control of cardiac excitability. The latter area is now a large field and certainly warranted a stand-alone chapter.

The chapters (4 and 5) on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves involved in neurotransmission in the urogenital tract demonstrate one of the best examples of nitrergic neurotransmission, e.g. penile erection. There are also good sections on the pathophysiological basis of male erectile dysfunction and interesting speculations for future direction. A detailed anatomical description of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing tissue in the lower urinary tract is also given. Of interest, impaired L-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway leads to impaired relaxation of the outflow region, bladder hypertrophy, and increased afferent activity and bladder hyperactivity. In the respiratory tract (chapter 6) NO is not seen as a classical transmitter; however, it may play a role in modulating autonomic neurotransmission as has been recently demonstrated in the heart. There is clearer evidence in chapter 7 that NO acts as an enteric inhibitory neurotransmitter. The final three chapters deal with neurogenic NO and exocrine secretion in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (chapter 8), spinal pain processing (chapter 9) and neurogenic inflammation (chapter 10). These chapters present important information that may point to potential therapeutic targets and are well written.

Overall this book is worth purchasing, albeit with a few omissions and understatements, although most chapters are first class in all respects. Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.5, 687.