AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Toxicological Chemistry introduction: chemistry of toxic substances with emphasis on their interactions with biological tissues and living systems.

Basic principles of chemistry and organic chemistry useful to understand toxicological chemistry.

Xenobiotics metabolism: phase I and phase II reactions.

Examples of phase I reactions: oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation.

Examples of phase II reactions: conjugation by glucuronides, conjugation by sulphate, conjugation by amino acids, conjugation by glutathione, acetylation, metylation.

Short account of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics.

Interactions between molecules: covalent bond, ionic bond, hydrogen bond, pi-pi interaction, van der Waals interaction.

Interaction between toxic compounds and biological targets: nicotinoid and neonicotinoid insecticides, pyrethroids, PAH, endocrine disruptors.

Mechanisms of toxicity of organic and inorganic xenobiotics: heavy metals, inorganic compounds, organic compounds, drugs, alcaloids. 

Toxicity of environmental ompounds.

At the end of the course the student knows the basic concepts concerning the reactivity and the mechanism of action of toxic substances. In particular the student knows the most common xenobiotics from a toxicological chemistry point of view.

TEACHING METHODS

Slides are used for the lessons, students are expected to be able to extrapolate concepts autonomously.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Organic Chemistry is a pre-requisite.