Toxicology I

A.Y. 2021/2022
8
Max ECTS
64
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/14
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
Aim of the course is to provide the fundamental knowledge to understand the basic principles of toxicology through:
- the characterization of toxicity manifestations and molecular mechanisms
- the scientific basis of experimental toxicology
- the analysis of the adverse effects of xenobiotics and drugs on organ
- the analysis of the criteria for evaluating and extrapolating toxicity data to humans
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire the ability to critically analyze and discuss, with a coherent language, the general pathways triggered by xenobiotics and drugs to alter organ physiology, the mechanisms involved and the general rules that define their toxicity.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY
· Principles of Toxicology: the concept of risk and dose, from molecular mechanism to the rules passing by risk assessment, type of toxicants, dose-response curves and relevance in toxicity, molecule-target relationship and related effects, reversible and irreversible, acute, subacute, subchronic and chronic toxicity, the different factors that influence toxicity
· Mechanisms of Toxicity: oxidative stress, mitochondrial toxicity, calcium homeostasis, molecular mechanism of protection and repair
· Toxicokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of toxic substances
·
NON-ORGAN-DIRECTED TOXICITY
· Developmental toxicology: teratogenesis, developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD)
· Genetic toxicology
· Carcinogenesis
TARGET ORGAN TOXICITY
· Toxic response of the reproductive system
·Toxic responses of the respiratory system
· Toxic responses of the immune system
· Toxic responses of the Nervous System
· Toxic responses of the kidney
· Toxic responses of the liver
· Toxic responses of the skin
RISK ASSESSMENT
·OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals
· In vitro methods and alternative approaches applied in toxicology
· Risk assessment
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of basic human anatomy and principles of biology
Teaching methods
The course is based on both lessons and the use of a web platform and multiple choice questions, to actively discuss on the content of each general chapter.
Teaching Resources
Tossicologia, Galli-Corsini-Marinovich, editore PICCIN, 2 Edizione (2008)
· Casarett e Doull's Tossicologia, i fondamenti dell'azione delle sostanze tossiche, Curtis D Klaassen, Ed. EMSI, 7 edizione
· Casarett e Doull's Toxicology. The basic science of poisons. Curtis D Klaassen, Ed. McGraw Hill, 7th Edition
Slides and supplementary material will be loaded on the web platform Ariel Unimi (https://ariel.unimi.it)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge on the principles of toxicology through the characterisation of the main mechanisms of toxicity at both cellular and organ level. Acquisition of these competences will be independently evaluated by two different professors through an oral examination on any topic of the program. The final score, out of thirty, will be the average of the grade awarded by each professor.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 8
Lessons: 64 hours
Professor: Viviani Barbara
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
Dip. di Scienze Farmacologiche, Via Balzaretti 9