PRINCIPLES OF THERAPY AND TOXICOLOGY APPLIED TO SPORT

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

M12001

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2021/2022

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES OF PREVENTIVE AND ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.

Disciplinary Sector:

Pharmacology

Is part of:

PHARMACOLOGY AND MEDICINE OF SPORT

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

GIULIANI Patricia

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of Biochemistry, Physiology and General Pathology.

Objectives

The main goal of the course is to provide the knowledge aimed at training a professional figure able to understand the general concepts of Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and to evaluate the effects (therapeutic and side effects) of the main drugs used in chronic conditions that can benefit from "exercise-therapy" (adapted physical activity). In particular, this teaching will help improve the knowledge and understanding of: i) the fate of substances administered to a living organism (adsorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion); ii) the mechanisms of drug action; iii) therapeutic effects and unwanted side effects of commonly prescribed drugs in chronic disorders where adapted physical activity are comprised in therapeutic and preventive programs; iv) connections between physical activity and pharmacology.
At the end of the course, the student, within their sphere of competence, will be able to utilize the acquired knowledge to critically understand the rational basis for the use of drugs in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in which specific and correct protocols of adapted physical activity (exercise-therapy) are included. Students will have the capacity of understanding the impact of pharmacological therapy on motor skill (or vice versa). Thus, the student will improve his ability to communicate and interact with other professional figures (medical doctor, physiotherapist..) to improve the quality of life.

Contents

The course will focus on the general concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as the therapeutic effects, properties and side effects of drugs used to treat and or to prevent chronic diseases or disorders.

Extended Syllabus

Definition of drug; development of medicines; generic drugs and brand name drugs; Biological and biosimilar drugs.

Pharmacokinetics: mechanisms of transport across biological membranes; main routes of drug administration, absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion of drugs.
Bioavailability, blood-brain barrier, placental barrier, volume of distribution, therapeutic range, dose-effect and dose-response curves, therapeutic index, plasma half-life.

Pharmacodynamics: drug-receptor interactions, classification of receptors,
main signal transduction pathways; receptor agonists and antagonists, potency, intrinsic activity and maximum efficacy of a drug; receptor regulation: up-regulation, down-regulation and desensitization.

Drugs acting on autonomic nervous system: sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs; parasympathomimetic and parasympatholytic drugs.
Drugs used in the treatment of asthma: bronchodilators, corticosteroids, methylxanthine.
Drug therapy of inflammation: non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Drugs used in treatment of pain: opiod analgesics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other agents with analgesic action (tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsivants).
Drugs used in the therapy of the epilepsies: Mechanism of action of antiepilepsy medications; main antiseizure drug: phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, ethosuximide, phenobarbital, benzodiazepines and new antiseizure agents.
Drugs used for the treatment of spasticity: benzodiazepines, baclofen, dantrolene, botulinum toxin, cannabinoids .
drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: Levodopa and Carbidopa, dopamine agonists, inhibitor of MAO-B, anticholinergic drugs.
Hypoglycemic agents (insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents); drug therapy of hypercholesterolemia; drugs for obesity.
Agents affecting calcium metabolism
and bone remodelling: calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates.
Drugs affecting blood, cardiovascular and renal systems: cardiac glycosides, nitrates, platelet aggregation inhibitors, antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, renin inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, others).
Toxicology of the main agents used in sport doping: cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabinoids, opioids, ethanol, anabolic androgenic steroids.
Neurobiological mechanisms of drug addiction; tolerance, physical and psychological dependence, withdrawal syndrome.

Recommended Bibliography

“Farmacologia. Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche” di F. Rossi, V. Cuomo, C. Riccardi. Ed. Minerva Medica – (the most recent edition)

“Rang & Dale farmacologia” di H.P Rang, M.M. Dale, J.M Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson- ed. Edra (the most recent edition)

Teaching Methods

The course will be carried out through frontal lectures with the help of slides that will represent teaching material, in addition to the recommended text.
In the event of a serious health emergency, remote lessons will be provided through one of the platforms suggested by the University.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The exam will take place in oral form and it will be aimed at providing a balanced assessment of the achievement of the learning objectives of the core curriculum (capability of explaining pharmacological concepts and issues using the basic terminology of the field).
In the event of a health emergency, the oral examination will be carried out remotely by using the platform suggested by the University.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception: every day by appointment via email (patricia.giuliani@unich.it)

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree