Intended primarily for researchers working with bioactive substances such as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and connective tissue makers, this book discusses the principles of degradation in major groups of bioactive materials with respect to physiology, location, and regulation. Peptidases; receptor-mediated endocytosis; organ extraction and clearance; and the degradation of specific proteins, peptides, amines, steroids, and polysaccharoides are featured. Pathophysiology and its role in diagnostics and disease are considered throughout the book, in addition to updates of recent literature and substantial new information on physiology and pathophysiology of degradation of bioactive material. No special mathematical or kinetic background is necessary to read this book because the mathematic and kinetic concepts are facilitated through the presentation of fundamental and more advanced principles. Furthermore, illustrations and tables are provided to facilitate the understanding of the dynamic aspects of degradation processes. Degradation of Bioactive Substances: Physiology and Pathophysiology is the first comprehensive work describing the degradation of bioactive material, including information not found in biochemical textbooks on internal metabolism or pharmacokinetic textbooks on drug metabolism.