Toxicology 1
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Aim of the course is to provide the fundamental knowledge to understand the basic principles of toxicology through:
- the scientific basis of experimental toxicology
- the characterisation of the mechanisms of toxicity of the main chemical pollutants in air, water, soil and drugs, including the factors modulating the incidence and severity of a toxic event
- the analysis of adverse manifestations of xenobiotics and drugs on organs
- the basics of the criteria for evaluating and extrapolating toxicity data to humans through technical, scientific and regulatory sources in the field of environmental and health safety
- the scientific basis of experimental toxicology
- the characterisation of the mechanisms of toxicity of the main chemical pollutants in air, water, soil and drugs, including the factors modulating the incidence and severity of a toxic event
- the analysis of adverse manifestations of xenobiotics and drugs on organs
- the basics of the criteria for evaluating and extrapolating toxicity data to humans through technical, scientific and regulatory sources in the field of environmental and health safety
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of the general concepts and molecular basis of toxicology with particular reference to the general principles of toxicity and organ toxicity of xenobiotics and drugs and the factors that modulate the incidence and severity of a toxic event.
Knowledge of the principles underlying the approaches used at European level for hazard and risk assessment.
Knowledge of the principles underlying the approaches used at European level for hazard and risk assessment.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
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
· 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 conducted through lectures and in-class discussion of the syllabus.
Teaching Resources
Tossicologia, Galli-Corsini-Marinovich, editore PICCIN, 2 Edizione (2008)
· Casarett & Doull's -Tossicologia, Ed. Curtis D.Klaassen, 5° edizione (vers. italiana) EMSI - Roma
· Tossicologia cellulare e molecolare, Ed. G. Cantelli Forti, P. Hrelia, C.L.Galli, M. Marinovich, UTET (2000)
· Casarett & Doull's -Toxicology, The basic science of poisons, Fifth edition (1999), Ed. C.D. Klaassen , J.B. Watkins III°, McGraw Hill
Slides and supplementary material will be loaded on the web platform MyAriel Unimi
· Casarett & Doull's -Tossicologia, Ed. Curtis D.Klaassen, 5° edizione (vers. italiana) EMSI - Roma
· Tossicologia cellulare e molecolare, Ed. G. Cantelli Forti, P. Hrelia, C.L.Galli, M. Marinovich, UTET (2000)
· Casarett & Doull's -Toxicology, The basic science of poisons, Fifth edition (1999), Ed. C.D. Klaassen , J.B. Watkins III°, McGraw Hill
Slides and supplementary material will be loaded on the web platform MyAriel Unimi
Assessment methods and Criteria
The course aims to provide an overview of the principles of toxicology, covering the main mechanisms of toxicity at cellular and organ levels, as well as the mechanisms of different classes of contaminants and how to evaluate them. This knowledge will be assessed through an oral test on the programme, which will be carried out by two lecturers. The grade awarded will be expressed in thirtieths and represent the average of the marks given by the two lecturers. The result of the oral test will be communicated at the end of the examination.
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment
Dip. di Scienze Farmacologiche, Via Balzaretti 9