Guía Docente 2023-24
TOXICOLOGÍA

BASIC DETAILS:

Subject: TOXICOLOGÍA
Id.: 31673
Programme: GRADUADO EN FARMACIA. PLAN 2013 (BOE 15/07/2013)
Module: MEDICINA Y FARMACOLOGÍA
Subject type: OBLIGATORIA
Year: 5 Teaching period: Primer Cuatrimestre
Credits: 6 Total hours: 150
Classroom activities: 70 Individual study: 80
Main teaching language: Inglés Secondary teaching language: Castellano
Lecturer: Email:

PRESENTATION:

Toxicology is critical for pharmaceutical sciencies in that it could be defined as the science branch dealing with toxic substances which are defined as those causing an adverse effect in a living organism when they reach this by accident or by means of an inadequate adminstration. According to international standards, this science also includes physic phenomena such as radiation and noise pollution. The study of toxicants helps society in a variety of ways and not only protecting human beings and environment from their adverse effects but also facilitating the development of more specific toxicants which could be beneficial in chemotherapy and other chemicals such as pesticides. Its impact on forensic and legal issues is also relevant.

La toxicología s muy relevante para las ciencias farmacológicas ya que puede definirse como la rama de la ciencia que se ocupa de las substancias tóxicas, las cuales se definen como aquellas que causan un efecto perjudicial en los seres vivos al ser administradas, bien por accidente o de forma inadecuada, a un organismo vivo. Por acuerdo internacional, la toxicología también incluye fenómenos físicos tales como la radiacion y el ruido. El estudio de los tóxicos sirve a la sociedad de formas variadas, no solo para proteger a los humanos y al medio ambiente de sus efectos perniciosos sino también para facilitar el desarrollo de tóxicos más selectivos que puedan tener efectos beneficiosos tales como substancias para quimioterápia y otras drogas de uso clínico, así como pesticidas. Su influencia en aspectos forenses y periciales es también destacable.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES ACQUIRED IN THE SUBJECT:

General programme competences G01 Ability to express opinions and propose arguments effectively both orally and in writing. Effectively use language skills to express views and formulate arguments both orally and in writing.
G05 Ability for teamwork, actively contributing to the objectives and the organisation of a team.
G08 Demonstrate critical and analytical ability to conventional approaches of the discipline.
Specific programme competences E29 Knowledge of the processes of liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs, and factors that influence the absorption and disposition depending on their routes of administration.
E45 Assess the toxicological effects of the substance and design and implement appropriate tests and analysis.
E47 Understand the structure and function of the human body as well as the general mechanisms of disease, molecular, structural and functional alterations, syndromic expression and therapeutic tools for restoring health.
E48 Learn about the nature, mechanism of action and effect of toxins and resources in case of intoxication.
E54 Use efficiently information retrieval techniques for primary and secondary sources of information (including databases using computer).
Regulated profession competences P02 Evaluate the therapeutic and toxic effects of substances with pharmacological activity.
P11 Assess the toxicological effects of the substance and design and implement appropriate tests and analysis.
Learning outcomes R01 Understand the general principles of human toxicology.
R02 Study the kinetic foundations for exposure to toxins.
R03 Learn about the clinical toxicology of the major toxic agents and how they affect the human body.
R04 Assess the toxicological risks identifying their sources, forms of action and ways of treatment and prevention.
R05 Become aware of the importance of the discipline at an environmental, social, legal and clinical level.

PRE-REQUISITES:

Toxicology is a multidisciplinar science using concepts and methodologies from many other basic disciplines in order to solve issues of its own. To be more precise, the adequate understanding of toxicologic problems require a solid base in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology. The strategic location of this subject in the final year of the Pharmacy degree guarantees that alumni have received a previous development in those disciplines in order to embed the contents of this course. On the top of the specific aspects refereing to Toxicology Science, this subject will give the students the chance to use and integrate the tools and knowledge encountered in the previous courses of the degree with a view to grasp toxicologic problems in a critical way using to this end all the knowledge acquired in the previous years.

La Toxicología es una ciencia multidisciplinar que utiliza conceptos y métodos de otras muchas disciplinas básicas para resolver  los problemas que le son propios. En concreto la correcta comprensión de los problemas toxicológicos requiere una base sólida en Química, Bioquímica, Fisiología y Farmacología. La ubicación estratégica de la asignatura en el 5º curso del grado garantiza que el alumno haya recibido la formación previa necesaria, para asimilar correctamente los contenidos de la materia. Esta asignatura, además de los aspectos y conocimientos específicos referentes a la toxicología, brindará al alumno la oportunidad de comenzar a utilizar e integrar las herramientas y conocimientos adquiridos en los cuatro cursos anteriores con la finalidad de analizar problemas toxicológicos de una forma crítica y selectiva utilizando para ello todos los recursos proporcionados y adquiridos con anterioridad.

SUBJECT PROGRAMME:

Observations:


Observations.

The Contents for Workshop/Seminars would be confirmed during the semester and the students will be informed through the PDU and verbally, in-class.

 

Observaciones:

Los contenidos de los talleres/seminarios se confirmarán a lo largo del semestre y los alumnos serán informados a través de la PDU y verbalmente, en clase.

Subject contents:

1 - Introduction to Toxicology
    1.1 - Definition of Toxicology
    1.2 - Historic overview of Toxicology
    1.3 - Current objectives of Toxicology
    1.4 - Multidiscipline nature of Toxicology
    1.5 - Scope of modern Toxicology
    1.6 - Main applied branches: forensic toxicology, clinical toxicology, occupational toxicology, environmental toxicology and food poisonings
2 - Qualitative and quantitative aspects of Toxicology
    2.1 - Definition of Toxic
    2.2 - Clasification of toxic agents
    2.3 - Definition of poisoning
    2.4 - Types of poisonings
    2.5 - Definition of toxicity
    2.6 - Applied criteria to the study of toxicity
    2.7 - Effect-dose-time relationship
    2.8 - Selectivity, Sensitivity and safety range
    2.9 - Molecular aspects impacting a given substance toxicity
3 - Stages in the toxic process: Exposition and Absorption
    3.1 - General Principles
    3.2 - Exposition phase: Physical availability and toxic absorption
    3.3 - Processes involved in the toxicokinetic phase
4 - Toxicokinetic phase. Distribution and Retention
    4.1 - Concept of Biological availability. Compartmental models
    4.2 - Elements impacting on the toxic distribution
    4.3 - Elements impacting retention of a toxic compound
    4.4 - Biologic and environmental elements impacting on the biotransformation kinetics
5 - Toxicokinetic phase. Biotransformation and elimination
    5.1 - General Principles
    5.2 - Phase I Reactions
    5.3 - Phase II Reactions
    5.4 - Consequences of the biotransformation process
6 - Toxicodynamic phase
    6.1 - Characteristics of the toxicodynamic phase
    6.2 - Main determinants involved in the toxic effects of xenobiotics
    6.3 - Main cellular damage caused by xenobiotics. Mechanisms of toxic effect
7 - Genetic Toxicology
    7.1 - General Principles
    7.3 - Mutagenesis. Mechanisms of induction of genetic alterations
    7.4 - Types of mutagenic effects
    7.5 - Molecular mechanisms
    7.6 - Impact on human health
    7.7 - Assessment of genetic alterations
    7.8 - Transgenic Models
8 - Chemical Carcinogenesis
    8.1 - Overview
    8.3 - Definition of carcinogenic agent
    8.4 - Mechanisms and stages of carcinogenesis
    8.5 - Types of carcinogens
9 - Developmental toxicology. Teratogenesis
    9.1 - Scope of problem-The human experience
    9.3 - Principles of developmental toxicology
    9.4 - Mechanisms and Pathogenesis of developmental toxicology
    9.7 - Modern Safety Assessment
10 - Toxic responses of the liver
    10.1 - Overview
    10.2 - Liver physiology. An overview
    10.3 - Hepatotoxic agents
    10.4 - Mechanisms and types of Toxin-induced liver injury
    10.7 - Critical factors in toxicant-induced liver injury
11 - Toxic responses of the immune system
    11.1 - The immune system
    11.2 - Immunomodulation by xenobiotics
    11.3 - Xenobiotic-induced hypersensitivity and autoimmunity
12 - Antitoxic therapy
    12.2 - Definition of antagonist and antidote
    12.3 - Foundations of antitoxic therapy
    12.4 - Therapies based on toxican absorption obstruction
    12.5 - Therapies based on increased elimination rates
    12.6 - Therapies based on an increased toxicity threshold
    12.7 - Diagnosis of poisonings
13 - Toxic effects of pesticides
    13.1 - Overview
    13.2 - Economics and Public Health
    13.3 - Insecticides
    13.4 - Herbicides
    13.5 - Fungicides
    13.6 - Rodenticides
14 - Toxic effects of Heavy Metals
    14.1 - Overview
    14.2 - Major Toxic Metals
    14.3 - Essential Metals with potential for toxicity
    14.4 - Metals related to medical therapy

Subject planning could be modified due unforeseen circumstances (group performance, availability of resources, changes to academic calendar etc.) and should not, therefore, be considered to be definitive.


TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODOLOGIES AND ACTIVITIES:

Teaching and learning methodologies and activities applied:

COVID19. Depending on the evolution of the pandemic, lectures will follow an hybrid methodology (streaming/ in-class) or 100% "in-class" lectures. Information will be updated during the academic season.

 

The student will acquire the desired knowledge and skills through the study of the teaching programme subjects. To this end we will provide the following tools:

This plan will potentialy be subject of changes depending on unpredicted events such as group progress, resources availability, calendar changes and accomodation of other subject needs and therefore should not be considered as closed and final.

El alumo adquirirá los conociminetos necesarios para superar la asignatura a través del estudio de los temas del programa. Para ello se proporcionarán las siguientes herramientas:

Esta planificación queda sujeta a posibles cambios y podrán verse modificados por motivos imprevistos (rendimiento del grupo, disponibilidad de recursos, modificaciones del calendario, necesidades de otras aignaturas) y por tanto no deben considerarse como cerrados y definitivos.

 

Student work load:

Teaching mode Teaching methods Estimated hours
Classroom activities
Master classes 45
Practical work, exercises, problem-solving etc. 6
Coursework presentations 5
Films, videos, documentaries etc. 5
Workshops 6
Assessment activities 3
Individual study
Tutorials 1
Individual study 40
Individual coursework preparation 10
Group cousework preparation 11
Project work 11
Recommended reading 7
Total hours: 150

ASSESSMENT SCHEME:

Calculation of final mark:

Individual coursework: 45 %
Group coursework: 15 %
Final exam: 40 %
TOTAL 100 %

*Las observaciones específicas sobre el sistema de evaluación serán comunicadas por escrito a los alumnos al inicio de la materia.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND DOCUMENTATION:

Basic bibliography:

KLAASEN, Curtis. Essentials of Toxicology. 2nd edition. McGraw Hill2010
REPETTO, M. Toxicología fundamental. Ed. Diaz de Santos.

Recommended bibliography:

Hodgson, E. A textbook of modern toxicology. Editorial Wiley (disponible en pdf)
Olson Kent, R. Poison and Drug overdose. Appleton
Ellenhom, M. Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. Williams and Wilkins. 2ª edicion. 1996
Gossel, T.A. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York: Raven Press. 3ª ed. 1994
Marruecos,L. Toxicología clínica. Barcelona: Springer-Verlag Iberica. 1993
Dreisbach, H. Manual de Intoxicaciones: Prevención, Diagnosis y Tratamiento. Appleton and Lange 1987

Recommended websites:

AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
BUSCADOR DE INFORMACION TOXICOLOGICA Y AMBIENTAL http://busca-tox.com
CHEMICAL SAFETY INFORMATION FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS http://www.inchem.org
INTEGRATED RISK INFORMATION SYSTEM http://www.epa.gov
PROGRAMA DE INFORMACION Y FORMACION EN TOXICOLOGIA CLINICA http://wzar.unizar.es/stc/toxicologianet/index.htm
TOXIPEDIA http://toxipedia.org
TOXNET (toxicology data network) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov
VARIOUS TYPES OF PESTICIDE TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY INFORMATION http://extoxnet.orst.edu
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TOXICOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS FORENSES http://institutodetoxicologia.justicia.es
EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGY http://www.eurotox.com
FEDERACION INTERNACIONAL DE LA INDUSTRIA DEL MEDICAMENTO http://www.ifpma.org
INSTITUTO DE FARMACOLOGIA Y TOXICOLOGIA CSIC/UCM http://www.ucm.es/info/farmamed/html/instituto.htm
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY http://www.isrtp.org
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF TOXICOLOGY http://www.toxicology.org/intox/


* Guía Docente sujeta a modificaciones