Pharmacology and Toxicology

Objectives

By taking this subject, in addition to developing transversal skills, students are able to learn the fundamental aspects of the properties and mechanisms of action of drugs from various pharmacological groups on which rational drug therapy is based, as well as their interactions and adverse reactions. They also learn to search for bibliography related to toxicological and pharmacological data of various chemical and biological compounds, and their application in drug development. Finally, students acquire the skills to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy and toxicity of certain drugs.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Know the main toxic compounds and their mechanism of action.
• LO2. Demonstrates skills for critical reflection in processes linked to the exercise of the profession.
• LO3. Evaluates globally the learning processes carried out in accordance with the plans and objectives set and establishes individual improvement measures.
• LO4. Analyzes knowledge specific to the field and contextualization in national and international environments.
• LO5. Apply procedures specific to scientific research to the development of training and professional activity.
• LO6. Ethically analyze situations of injustice and inequality and propose compensation measures.
• LO7. Shows an attitude of motivation and commitment to personal and professional improvement.
• LO8. Shows sensitivity for an equitable and egalitarian professional practice from a gender perspective.
• LO9. Acquires and demonstrates advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and work methodology in the field of biomedicine.
• LO10. Collects and interprets data and information on which to base their conclusions, which include reflections on social, scientific or ethical issues in the field of biomedicine.

Competencies

General skills

• Formulate hypotheses following the scientific method, with an ability to summarize and analyze information in a critical way in order to be able to solve problems.

Specific skills

• Formulate hypotheses and design experiments in the field of biomedical research.
• Have a systemic vision of the organism, in particular metabolic regulation and control and cell signaling, in order to respond to biomedical challenges.
• Identify the mechanisms of action of infectious agents, drugs and toxins, and their effects on the body.
• Promote, respect and apply the principles of bioethics in professional activity.
• Recognize endogenous and exogenous agents involved in the main groups of pathologies.

Basic skills

• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Develop strategies for promoting gender equality and equity for all.
• Interact in international contexts to transfer knowledge to current and emerging fields of professional development and research.
• Reflect critically on knowledge of all kinds, with a commitment to professional rigor and quality.
• Take control of one's learning process with a view to personal and professional growth and an all-round education.

Content

1. Basic principles of pharmacology
   1. Introduction to pharmacology and drug development
   2. Pharmacokinetics
   3. Pharmacodynamics
2. Basic principles of experimental pharmacology
   1. Introduction to current legislation
   2. Anesthesia
   3. Pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine
3. Pharmaceutical industry
   1. Search and validation of new pharmacological targets: presentation of different strategies: chemical libraries, natural products and rational drug design
   2. Drug design: modeling and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies (structure and geometry of protein targets)
   3. Pharmacological screening (selection phases until obtaining the lead/candidate)
   4. Tools to evaluate pharmacological activity and efficacy
   5. Tools for evaluating pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics: models in vitro to predict ADME, in vivo and PK-PD studies
   6. Tools for assessing toxicity: exploratory, mechanistic and regulatory studies
   7. Evaluation of safety margins in different phases of the development of a drug. Calculation of the first dose to be administered in humans
4. Pharmacology of the nervous system
   1. Pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system
      1. Adrenergic receptor
      2. Cholinergic receptor (effects mediated by nicotinic receptors)
      3. Histamine receptor
      4. Dopaminergic receptor
   2. Pharmacology of the central nervous system
      1. Anxiolytics and hypnotics
      2. Antidepressants
      3. Antiepileptics
      4. Antiparkinsonians
      5. Antipsychotics
      6. Drugs for Alzheimer's disease
5. Pharmacology of the respiratory system
6. Pharmacology of pain and inflammation
   1. Analgesics and opioid analgesics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs
7. Cardiovascular pharmacology
   1. Diuretics
   2. Pharmacology of vascular tone (antihypertensives)
   3. Lipid-lowering agents
   4. Pharmacological regulation of cardiac function (antiarrhythmics, heart failure and antianginals)
8. Hypoglycemic and digestive pharmacology
   1. Insulin and non-insulin oral hypoglycemic drugs
   2. Antiemetic drugs
   3. Drugs that modulate intestinal motility
9. Endocrine pharmacology
   1. Contraceptives
   2. Corticosteroids
10. Anti-infective pharmacology
    1. Resistance to antibiotics

Evaluation

• Exams: 50%
  • Partial exam 1: 25%. Minimum grade of 4/10
  • Partial exam 2: 25%. Minimum grade of 4/10
  • Important: you must obtain an average of 5 between the two exam tests to be able to average with the rest of the activities.
• Assessable activities: 30%
  • Activity 1. Basic principles of pharmacology: 5% (group). Differences between generic and reference medicine, biosimilar/biological and ATC classification
  • Activity 2. Database research and interpretation of drug development data: 10% (group activity)
  • Activity 3. Clinical case on pharmacology of the nervous system: 5% (group)
  • Activity 4. Clinical case of antidiabetic pharmacology (insulin interactions and dosage regimen): 5% (group)
  • Activity 5. Antimicrobial activity and antibiotic resistance: 5% (group)
• Internships: 20%
  • Organ bath: 5%
  • PyMOL: 5%
  • Toxicological tests: 10%

Important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized in all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC coexistence rules, constitute serious or very serious faults. Therefore, during the course of this subject, plagiarism or the improper appropriation of texts or ideas from other people (see What is considered plagiarism?) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity automatically result in suspension or other disciplinary measures.

To cite texts and materials appropriately, you must consult the academic citation guidelines and guidelines available on the UVic Library website.

Methodology

In this subject, theoretical sessions, workshops or assignments are held at the end of the blocks to integrate and put into practice the knowledge acquired. In addition, practical sessions are also held to familiarize students with the preclinical research stages of drug development, whether in the evaluation of the structure-activity relationship, or in the efficacy testing of drugs in animal models. Attendance at the practical sessions is mandatory, while it is recommended to actively follow the theory of the subject and participate actively in the discussions, assignments and workshops within the classroom.

Bibliography

Key references

• Ahmad, U. & Catala, A. (2020). Molecular pharmacology. Retrieved from https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/67790
• Bespalov, A. (2020). Good Research Practice in Non-Clinical Pharmacology and Biomedicine. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-33656-
• Florez, J., Armijo, J.A., i Mediavilla, A. (2014). Farmacología humana (6 ed.). Barcelona: Elsevier.
• Harvey, R. A., Whalen, K. (2016). Farmacología (6 ed.). Madrid: Wolters Kluwer.
• Katzung, B.G. (2019). Farmacologia: básica y clínica (14 ed.). Madrid: McGraw-Hil.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.