GENERAL CONCEPTS IN PHARMACO-TOXICOLOGY

Course introduction

BASIC PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY (3 UFC)
General concepts in pharmaco-toxicology, routes of administration/exposure (including simplified operating procedures for intravenous, parenteral and topical drug administration); pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion); pharmacodynamics (i.e., xenobiotic-receptor interaction and mechanisms of action); factors modulating drug/xenobiotic efficacy/toxicity (species, sex, breed/strain, age, individual susceptibility), including drug-drug interactions; toxic effects, bioactivation, general concepts of toxicodynamics (e.g., oxidative stress, covalent binding to macromolecules) and factors modulating xenobiotic toxicity (e.g., DNA repair mechanisms, antioxidant enzymes); environmental toxicology, biomonitoring and biomarkers.

SPECIAL PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY (2 UFC)
Basic knowledge about the main classes of drugs and toxic substances of interest for the Bachelor in Animal Care. In particular: drugs acting on the autonomic and central nervous system; behavioral pharmacology; corticosteroids and non steroidal antinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); diuretics and rehydration solutions; drugs acting on the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract; antimicrobial chemotherapy, chemotherapy of parasitic diseases; antiseptics and disinfectants; pharmacy; basic regulatory considerations; environmental contaminants; heavy metals; herbicides; fungicides; insecticides; natural toxins, including mycotoxins.

LABORATORY OF PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY (1 UFC)
Exercises in pharmacology; pharmacokinetic problems; insecticides modulation of serum acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity;
critical reading of an article of pharmacology or toxicology; ELISA (e.g., total serum proteins, beta-2 microglobulin, or aflatoxin B1).

CONCEPTS OF GENERAL ANESTHESIOLOGY (2 UFC)
General concepts in anaesthesiology (e.g., meaning of tranquilization, sedation and anaesthesia; how sedation and anaesthesia interfere with the animals’ homeostasis).
Basic information on the effects of anaesthetic drugs (tranquilizers, sedatives, ipnotic agent, cyclohexylamine, inhalant anaesthetics). Administration of anaesthetic drugs: how and when. Practical calculation in anaesthesia. Equipment used in anaesthesia. Endotracheal intubation. Patient’s monitoring. Pain management and suffering reduction. Severity classification of the experimental procedures. Safe handling and restraint. Complications, emergency, and CPR.
Practical examples, videos and interactive discussion of clinical cases will involve the student during each lecture.