1 Cell Volume Regulatory Mechanisms - An Overview.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Mechanisms of Regulatory Cell Volume Decrease (RVD).- 3 Mechanisms of Regulatory Cell Volume Increase (RVI).- 4 Factors Activating or Modifying Cell Volume Regulatory Mechanisms.- 5 Conclusions.- References.- 2 Cell Volume and Hepatic Metabolism.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Cell Volume Control in Liver.- 3 Modulation of Hepatic Metabolism by Cell Volume.- 4 Cell Volume and Bile Formation.- 5 Role of Cell Volume in Hormone Action.- 6 Signalling Systems.- 7 Perspective.- References.- 3 Volume Regulation in Transporting Epithelia.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Mechanisms of Epithelial Cell Volume Regulation.- 3 Intestinal Transport and Volume Regulation.- 4 Control of Renal Cell Volume: The Renal Medulla Role of Organic Solutes in Cell Volume Regulation.- 5 Regulation of Liver Cell Volume.- 6 Conclusion.- References.- 4 Cell Volume and Stimulus-Secretion Coupling.- 1 General Aspects of Secretion.- 2 Fluid Secretion in Exocrine Acinar Cells.- 3 Volume Changes During Exocrine Secretion.- 4 Volume Counterregulatory Mechanisms During Exocrine Secretion.- 5 Volume Changes During Endocrine Secretion.- 6 Possible Regulatory Role of the Cell Volume for Renin Secretion.- 7 Summary.- References.- 5 Cell Volume Regulation and Vascular Endothelial Function.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Regulatory Volume Decrease in Endothelium.- 3 Regulatory Volume Increase.- 4 Cell Volume Regulation and Endothelial Function.- References.- 6 Effects of Swelling on Glial Cell Function.- 1 Astroglial Swelling in Situ - Contribution to Pathology.- 2 Methods for Studying Glial Swelling.- 3 Mechanisms of Astrocytic Swelling.- 4 Functional Consequences of Glial Swelling.- 5 Conclusions.- References.- 7 Cell Volume Regulation: Intracellular Transmission.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Principal Ion Transport Systems for Na+, K+ and Cl? Involved in Cell Volume Regulation.- 3 Activation Mechanisms for RVD.- 4 Activation Mechanism for RVI.- 5 Induction of Organic Osmolyte Transport Systems.- 6 Biological Role of Volume Regulation.- References.- 8 Regulation of Volume-Modulating Ion Transport Systems by Growth Promoters.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Effect of Growth Promoters on Na+/H+ Exchange.- 3 Effect of Growth Promoters on Na/K/CI Cotransport.- 4 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 9 The Regulation of Organelle Function Through Changes in Their Volume.- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Regulation of Mitochondrial Volume.- 3 Changes in the Mitochondrial Matrix Volume as a Mechanism of Hormone Signal Transduction Across the Liver Mitochondrial Membrane.- 4 Regulation of Mitochondrial Volume in Other Tissues.- 5 Swelling of Mitochondria Occurs in Pathological States.- References.

One of the prerequisites for survival is the ability of
cells to maintain their volume. Thus, during the course of
evolution cells have "learned" a variety of strategies to
achieve volume homeostasis. This volume regulatory machinery
involves regulation of both, cellular metabolism and
cellular transport and is exploited by hormones and
transmitters to regulate cellularfunction. This book to
illustrates the complex interplay of cell volume regulatory
mechanisms and cellular function in a variety of tissues.
However, our knowledge is still far from being conclusive,
and the present collection of reviews is thought to foster
further experimental efforts to unravel the role of cell
volume in the integrated function of cells.