Nutrition-Related Diseases

BASIS OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY General aetiology 1. Pathogenetic mechanisms. Interaction between intrinsic causal factors (elements of genetics) and acquired effectors. 2. Cell damage and death; necrosis and apoptosis in physiological and pathological processes: the mechanisms. 3. Oxidative stress and related pathologic conditions (antioxidant defenses, vitamines). Inflammation 1. Inflammatory agents, vascular events, cells of the inflammatory process. 2. Mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment and phagocytosis. 3. Chemical mediators which coordinate the various phases of inflammation. Oncology 1. Distinction between non neoplastic and neoplastic growth. 2. Mutations and cancer. 3. Lack of control of the cell cycle in tumors: role of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. 4. Neoplastic progression, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. 5. Aetiology of tumors. PHYSIOPATHOLOGY OF MULTIFACTORIAL DISEASES 1. Blood physiopathology: anemia (erythropoiesis- iron and pholates deficiency). 2. Obesity (control of energy homeostasis and body weight-signals of hunger and satiety). 3. Diabetes (classifications- glycemic control- insulin resistance- metabolic alterations - long term complications ). 4. Steatosis (alcoholic and non alcoholic). 5. Hypertension (regulation of blood pression-consequences). 6. Atherosclerosis (risk factors-pathogenesis-consequences). 7. Thrombosis. 8. Tumors [interaction between genetic background and environment (food as environmental factor)-cancerogens in the diet-chemoprevention]. 9. Allergies and intollerances: molecules and cells involved-allergens (nature and identification)-anaphylactic shock. 10. Gout (purine metabolism-pathogenesis of hyperuricemia). 11. Pathogenesis of multifactorial intestinal diseases (e.g. celiac disease). GENETICS. Nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic will be also examined, by analysing the role of diet as an environmental mechanism of interaction with the genome and regulator of gene expression

Lecture 1: Physiology and Pathophysiology of pancreatic endocrine secretion and gastrointestinal tract endocrine secretion, and methods to evaluate Insulin secretion and sensitivity in humans.
Lecture 2. Obesity: Classification, pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Clinical evalution and instrumental methods for the evalution of body mass and body composition.
Lecture 3: Obesity 2: The role of dietary approaches in the treatment and prevention of obesity and morbid obesity. Pharmacological and novel surgical approaches to obesity
Lecture 4: Plurimetabolic Syndrome X of Insulin resistance. Pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Incidence and Diagnosis. The role of the dietary approach in the prevention and treatment.
Lecture 5: Diabetes Mellitus. Classification (old and new), Incidence and pathogenesis.
Lezione 6: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology. The role of multiple dietary approaches and physical activity/sport/life style modification in the prevention and treatment.
Lecture 7: Chronic complications (micro and macrovascular) of Diabetes Mellitus.
Lecture 8: Polyendocrine autoimmune syndromes. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of multiple endocrine defects.
Lecture 9: Anorexia and Bulimia.
Lecture 10: Atherosclerotic Cerebro-vascular Diseases and Alzheimer Disease.
Lecture 11: NAFLD- NASH
Lecture 12: Liver Cirrhosis and its complications
Lecture 13: Principles and ethics of Clinical Research in Humans and Clinical Trials.
Lecture 14: Arterial hypertension and its renal and cardiovascular complications - Congestive Heart Failure