LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module of Toxicology aims at providing students with the basic principles of the interaction of xenobiotics with the different targets of the human body and how these interactions lead to toxic effects. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module of Toxicology will provide students with a solid knowledge of toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics, organ toxicity, toxicology of drug addiction, toxicity tests and risk assessment.

Toxicodynamics is the study of the effects of toxicants or their metabolites on living systems, with a special focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of their biological actions.

Toxicokinetics refers to all the biological processes underlying absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of toxicants. Its primary objective is to analyse the systemic exposure  to toxicants achieved in laboratory animals and its relationship to dose level and time-course of the toxic effects.

Organ toxicity is the study of the effects of toxicant exposure at the level of the different organs and tissues.

Toxicology of drug addiction refers to the study of the toxicological properties of drugs of abuse (e.g. alcohol, heroin, cocaine) and of the biological basis for drug abuse and addiction.

Finally, toxicity tests and risk assessment describe the in vitro and in vivo tests to assess the toxic effects of new chemical entities that are necessary for evaluating risks for human health and safety.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons during which all the course topics will be illustrated in great details. The teaching materials used during the lectures will be available for students on the website of AulaWeb.

In case of any emergency that does not allow in-class lessons, lessons  will be given electronically using the Microsoft Teams online platform. The teacher will promptly inform students of any change by using e-mail, the AulaWeb messaging system and by posts on the website of the Degree Course .

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to Toxicology.  General aspects and aims of toxicology. 

Toxicokinetics.  Factors influencing toxicity: exposure, route of exposure, absorption, absorbed dose, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxication and detoxication processes.

Toxicodynamics.  Major cellular toxicity mechanisms. Radicals, oxidative stress, mitochondrial toxicity, alteration of calcium homeostasis. Cell death. Genotoxicity, chemical carcinogenesis , developmental toxicity.

Organ toxicity. Toxic responses of the nervous system, the heart and vascular system, lung and respiratory system,  blood,  liver, kidney.

Drug addiction. General aspects of drug abuse and addiction. Neurobiological basis of abuse and addiction . Toxicological properties of different drugs of abuse. 

Toxicity tests and risk assessment. Toxicity tests (acute, subacute, subchronic and chronic toxicity). Determination of the LD50. Therapeutic index and certain safety factor. Risk characterization and assessment.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All topics will be completely explained during lessons. Some textbooks can be suggested:

Klaasen C. Casarett & Doull's. Toxicology: the basic science of poisons. Ed. McGraw-Hill

Hodgson E. A Texbook of Modern Toxicology. Ed. Wiley