OVERVIEW

The Toxicology is the science that studies the toxic effects of xenobiotics, physical agents and biological organisms and in particular the mechanistic and descriptive aspects of the effects deriving from the interaction between toxic agents and living organism. The Toxicology is an integral part of the pharmacology, but applies not only to drugs but also to chemicals and has its applications in general and legal medicine, in occupational medicine and in food hygiene.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides update knowledge on toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of an exogenous compound within an organism; mechanisms of toxicity: functional toxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, teratology and foetal toxicity; side and toxic effects of drugs, the toxicity of xenobiotics; toxicity at the level of tissues and organs.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide updated knowledge on toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of an exogenous compound within an organism; mechanisms of toxicity: functional toxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, teratology and fetal toxicity; side and toxic effects of drugs, the toxicity of xenobiotics; toxicity at the level of tissues and organs.

At the end of the learning process the student will be able to develop critical thinking describing the quality- and quantitative toxicological effects of xenobiotics and to apply the acquired knowledge also to other molecules.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching methods used will be the carrying out of lectures with in-depth analysis of the program.

Therefore, the frequency of lessons is recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Essential lexicon in Pharmacology and Toxicology: active substances (drugs; medicinal preparations; medicinal herbs; placebo), xenobiotics, toxicological agent. The scope of the field.

Acute and chronic toxicological studies. Therapeutic Index and Margin of Safety, NOEL, LOEL

 Exposure, Hazard, Risk, risk assessment and management

Toxicokinetic

Molecular aspects of Toxicity: structure-activity relationship; cytotoxicity; carcinogenesis; teratology 

Toxicology of the central nervous system: Neuronopathy, Axonopathy, Synaptopathy, Myelinopathy.

Neurotoxicity and the neurotransmission: excitotoxicity. Toxins and vesicular release

Heavy Metals Toxicity

Toxicity of biotechnological drugs

Marine Biotoxins

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Casarett & Doull. Elementi di Tossicologia
Edizione italiana a cura di Patrizia Hrelia e Giorgio Cantelli Forti
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Notes of Lessons

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CHIARA CERVETTO (President)

MANUELA MARCOLI

ANNA MARIA PITTALUGA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

To assess student’s achievement of learning, the examination will be an oral exam (30 minutes), always in presence of the Commission consisting of at least of two professors (or sometime in presence of a professor and an expert subject designated by the CCS).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The Commission will verify the achievement of learning outcome with high accuracy. During the examination, the Commission will collect information about the knowledge of the topics and their understating, the communication skills as well as the connection and reasoning within topics of the course.

When the educational objectives will be not achieved, the student will be invited to verify better the knowledge and to use supplemental explanations contacting the professor.

Exam schedule