Front Cover; Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Volume 18; Copyright Page; Contents; List of Contributors; Preface; Chapter 1. Chemical and Biochemical Aspects of the Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans in Health and Disease; 1. Introduction; 2. Nomenclature of Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans; 3. Generalized Primary Structures of Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans; 4. Biosynthesis of Proteoglycans and GIycosaminogIycans; 5. Induced Effects on Proteoglycan and Glycosaminoglycan Chain Biosynthesis; 6. Healthy Processes in Relation to Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans

7. Involvement of Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans in Disease8. Conclusions; References; Chapter 2. The laboratory Diagnosis of Thyroid Disorders; 1. Introduction; 2. The Thyroid Gland and Its Hormones: Chemistry and Physiology; 3. Specific Chemical Tests on Serum; 4. Supplementary Tests; 5. Functional Physiological Tests; 6. The Choice and Uses of Tests in Special Situations; 7. Conclusion; References; Addenda; Chapter 3. The Hypothalamic Regulatory Hormonesand Their Clinical Applications; 1. Introduction; 2. Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH)

3. Luteinizing Hormone/ Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH/FSH-RH)4. Growth Hormone-Release Inhibiting Hormone (GH-RIH or Somatostatin); 5. Conclusions; References; Chapter 4. Uric Acid Metabolism in Man; 1. Background Biochemistry; 2. Various Purines in Urine and Serum; 3. Abnormal Metabolism of Purine Derivatives; 4. Regulation of Carrier's Response to Defect; 5. Role of Phosphoribosyl Pyrophosphate; 6. Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Deficiency; 7. Theoretical Considerations; References; Chapter 5. Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Vitamin Metabolism; 1. Introduction

2. Vitamin A (Retinol)3. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine); 4. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin); 5. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid); 6. Folic Acid; 7. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine); 8. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); 9. Vitamin E (Tocopherol); References; Chapter 6. The Biochemistry and Analysis of Lead; 1. The Physiological Concentrations of Lead; 2. Destruction of Organic Matter; 3. Solvent Extraction; 4. The Determination of Lead; References; Subject Index; Contents of Previous Volumes