Biochemistry Module
Organic constituents (sugars, proteins, lipids): main functions (10 hours). The structure and function of sugars, amino acids, lipids, cholesterol, and energy molecules will be discussed. Reserve molecules, glycogen and triglycerides. Structure lipids; Micelles, double lipid layers, biological membranes and structural cholesterol properties. Proteins: peptide binding, amino acid sequence, three-dimensional structure (eg collagen), post-translational modifications, phosphorylation, glycosylation, proteolytic cuts (coagulation and digestive enzymes), coenzyme binding. Oxygen conveyors. Hemoglobin and Mioglobin. Enzymes: properties, kinetics, inhibitions, regulation, specificity, nomenclature, and enzyme cofactors. Vitamins. Nutrition biochemistry will be provided throughout the course.
Metabolism of the main biomolecules (10 hours). The concept of anabolism and catabolism will be discussed. Objects of bioenergetics. ATP, substrate phosphorylation at NAD + / FAD substrate, reducing power. Respiratory chain. Glycolysis, glycogen metabolism and the effect of insulin and glucagon. Krebs cycle, gluconeogenesis and their regulation. Nitrogen metabolism, transamination, transdimension, urea cycle and uric acid. Fatty metabolism and metabolic adaptations in fasting. Egg and albumin catabolism. Lipoproteins, bile acids, and cholesterol metabolism.
Adjustment and hormone metabolic control (4 hours). The main hormones with metabolic effects and in particular insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, cortisol (glycemic omoestasia), thyroid hormone, calcium regulation (vitamin D), steroid hormones (mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, sexual hormones) will be presented. Surface or intracellular hormone receptor, second messengers (AMP cyclic, calcium, inositol triphosphate). Mediators such as prostaglandins, leutrienes and thrombosans will be made throughout the course.
Pharmacology Module
- Pharmacokinetic properties (6 hours). The main routes of drug administration will be described, and the pharmacokinetic processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs in healthy subjects and in patients. A number of quantitative pharmacokinetic topics will also be used to set a correct dose, such as distribution volume, clearance, half life, maintenance dose, and loading dose. The concept of bioavailability and equivalent medication will be addressed.
Pharmacodynamic properties (6 hours): the main mechanisms underlying drug action will be described. The theoretical bases for the interpretation of the action of drugs will be discussed, imparting the concepts of agonist, antagonist, partial agonist. Dose-response curves will be described to interpret efficacy and pharmacological potency. Drug-toxicology topics will be addressed to interpret toxic drug effects, drug interactions, abuse, tolerance, and dependence.
-Exhibits of pharmaceutical legislation, experimentation (4 hours). The main laws in force in Italy and the European Union concerning the production, classification of medicines, prescription and pharmacovigilance will be described. Preclinical and clinical study phases will also be described for the discovery of new drugs.