Biochemistry Pharmacotoxicology

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in Organic Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology is recommended.

Teaching Methods

The most relevant concepts on the different deregulation mechanisms of different organs induced by drugs are exposed, trying to integrate this information with guidance for seeking and acquiring knowledge needed to set objectives. Students are encouraged to participate in class analyzing case studies that provide acquisition and application of new knowledge, so that the classes are subsidiary and illustrate some of the relevant programmatic aspects facilitating the consolidation of concepts and teach students to identify and solve problems and identifying mechanisms of toxicity of the drugs.

Learning Outcomes

The main aim of this curricular unit is to enable future Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences to acquire knowledge about the disposition of drugs in humans, with particular regard (i) to understand the factors that influence the toxic effects (ii) what types toxic effects of drugs and their mechanisms (iii) know how to analyze changes in biomarkers of different organs to understand the mechanisms of toxicity (iv) and to acquire knowledge that will be useful not only in drug development but especially in counselling and guidance patient when dispensing medications.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- General review on the fundamentals of toxicology; Therapeutic Drug intoxication, epidemiology and treatment; Acute and chronic poisoning;

- Toxicokinetics of drugs: absorption, distribution and accumulation, biotransformation and excretion; Curves serum balance and therapeutic monitoring;

- Bodies targets and toxicodynamics: General mechanisms of toxic action and predictive biomarkers and diagnostic toxicity of different organs; Drugs and haematotoxicity mechanisms, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity;

- Predictive biomarkers of toxicity in various organs in accordance with the FDA and EMEA.

- Mitochondrial toxicity induced by drugs, biomarkers and importance in the development of new drugs

- Monitoring of therapy and biological control of the patient.

- Importance of Biochemical Pharmacotoxicology in the development of new drugs and counseling and / or pharmaceutical advice to the patient.

Head Lecturer(s)

José Barata Antunes Custódio

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 10.0%
Research work: 15.0%
Project: 15.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

- Human Toxicology of Chemical Mixtures. Harold I. Zeliger (editor). William Andrew Publishing, 2011.

- CASARETT AND DOULL’S Toxicology: the basic science of poisons. 8th Ed. Curtis D. Klaassen, Editor. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2013.

- Period Journals of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology