Toxicology and Toxicological Analysis

Code:

MI075142

Acronym:

TOXANT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=3656
Responsible unit:	Toxicology Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	205	Official Curriculum	5	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The unit has as principal objective developing the competences of the students in the analysis and understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity of xenobiotics of high clinical, occupational and forensic relevance. For this purpose, the fundamental and applied, analytical, clinical, and forensic aspects of solvents, metals, drugs of abuse and pesticides will be studied. It is also sought that the  students are capable of using the acquired knowledge in an integrated fashion for risk assessment and for risk communication.

Learning outcomes and competences

Knowledge on the analysis and understanding of the risk associated with xenobiotic exposure. Skills in using this knowledge in an integrated perspective for risk evaluation, comunication and management.

Contribution to the Pharmaceutical Act:

h) Information and consultation on medicines for human and veterinary use, medical devices, subject and not subject to medical prescription, with health professionals and patients, in order to promote their correct use;
j) Monitoring of drugs, including the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters and the establishment of individualized dosing schedules;
k)sampling of biological products, performing and interpreting clinical analysis and measurement of serum levels;
l) Execution, interpretation and validation of toxicological, hydrological, and bromatological analyzes;

Contribution to Table 2 of the 2005/36 / EC Directive

(c) adequate knowledge of the metabolism and the effects of medicinal products and of the action of toxic substances, and of the use of medicinal products;
(d) adequate knowledge to evaluate scientific data concerning medicines in order to be able to supply appropriate information on the basis of this knowledge;

Contribution to the competencies defined in the document “FIP Global Competency Framework”:

1.1 Emergency response
1.1.1 Participate in responding to public health emergencies

1.2 Health promotion
1.2.2 Advice on health promotion, control and prevention of diseases and healthy lifestyles

1.3 Advice and Information on Medicines
1.3.1 Counseling the patient / population on the safe and rational use of drugs (including the selection, use, contraindications, storage, and adverse effects of drugs with or without a prescription)

2.6 Patient diagnosis and counseling
2.6.4 Assess, validate and produce health education information, medication counseling and health care
2.6.5 Discuss and agree with patients on the appropriate use of medicines, taking into account their preferences

4.1 Communication skills
4.1.2 Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and patients' relatives
4.1.3 Adjust communication to the patient's needs

4.8 Quality assurance and research in the workplace
4.8.1 Application of research results and application in risk / benefit analysis (eg pre-clinical, clinical research, trials, experimental data and risk assessment)

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, analytical methods

Program

1. Toxic agents

1.1. SOLVENTS AND VAPOURS
General aspects. Properties of Solvents and their toxicity. Susceptible subpopulations at increased risk of toxicity. Ethanol. Methanol. Benzene. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide. Cyanides. For each toxic, the following is referred to: mechanism of toxicity;toxicokinetics; the type of intoxication in which they are particularly involved and first aid to be administered. The laboratorial classes will consist in the quantification of ethanol in blood and the quantification of cyanide in blood.
1.2. METALS
Toxic, essential, and therapeutically useful metals. For each element the following is referred to: the mechanism of toxicity; toxicokinetics; dangers of bioaccumulation; principal sources of contamination and the measures to take in the event of intoxication, differentiating acute and chronic situations. Chelating agents used in the treatment of metal intoxications. The laboratorial classes will consist in the quantification of lead in blood.
1.3. PESTICIDES
General aspects. The use of these compounds and risk/benefit.
Insecticides: organochlorides, anticholinesterases, pyrethroid. Herbicides, fungicides and fumigants. For each group, examples of compounds typically used in Portugal are referred to as well as their involvement in intoxications. Mechanisms of toxicity, biotransformation and bioaccumulation. The laboratorial classes will consist in the quantification of paraquat in serum and urine.
1.4. DRUGS OF ABUSE
Mechanisms of toxicity. Individual and societal impact of drug abuse. Severity of the intoxications with different types of drugs.

2. Clinical toxicology.
Intoxications by drugs and other chemical agents.
Principal classes of drugs involved in intoxications: benzodiazepines, barbiturics, tricycle antidepressants, opiates, anfetamines, salicylates and paracetamol.  Other compounds: cyanides, carbon monoxide, ethanol, methanol, pesticides and metals. Intoxication treatments: antidotes and measures favouring elimination: diuresis, dialysis, hemoperfusion.
Importance of monitoring drugs in emergency toxicology and in therapeutic drug monitoring. The laboratorial classes will consist in the quantification of anticonvulsant drugs in serum and of paracetamol in serum.

3. Forensic Toxicology.
General aspects. Information on the post-mortem collection of samples for chemical analysis. Sample collection from living individuals. Principal compounds involved in fatal intoxications. Interpretation of analytical results. The laboratorial classes will consist in the qualitative analysis of compounds of interest for forensic toxicology.

4. Evaluation of toxicity of compounds.
Toxicology assays. General aspects: experimental animals, environmental conditions, feeding, state of health, etc. Protocol description of the various assays to carry out. Reference to the OECD and EU norms in carrying out assays according to Good Laboratory Practices. Acute toxicity. LD50. Relative value of this parameter. Toxicokinetics. Sub-acute and chronic toxicity. Mutagenicity assays. Ames test; micronucleus test in vivo and in vitro; SCE analysis; Cytogenic test in vivo (chromosomal analysis). Relevance of these assays in predicting carcinogenesis. Fertility and reproduction assays, teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, hypersensitivity and idiosyncrasy. Tests in humans. Epidemiological studies. Risk/Benefit concepts. Evaluation of the daily admissible dose. Extrapolation of the toxicity test results for man: difficulties and uncertainties.

Mandatory literature

Klaassen Curtis D. 340; Casarett and Doull.s toxicology. ISBN: 0-07-112453-5
Klaassen Curtis D. 340; Casarett and Doull99s toxicology. ISBN: 978-0-07-147051-3
Timbrell John; Principles of biochemical toxicology. ISBN: 0-748-40736-7

Complementary Bibliography

Hoffman Robert S. 340; Goldfrank.s manual of toxicologic emergencies. ISBN: 0-07-144310-X
Hayes A. Wallace 340; Principles and methods of toxicology. ISBN: 0-89004-470-8
Brunton Laurence L. 340; Goodman & Gilman.s pharmacological basis of therapeutics. ISBN: 0-07-142280-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes: Powerpoint presentations; associating the information and curiosities on the theme to the subject-matter taught and relating these subject-matters to day to day life.
The laboratory tasks are carried out in groups after theoretical explanation of their background and objectives.
Learning contents (theoretical and practical) are available through the e-learning platform moodle.
The lecturer responsible for the subject is available for student consultation by previously agreed appointment.

keywords

Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Toicology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	80,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	100,00
Frequência das aulas	46,00
Total:	146,00

Eligibility for exams

- Student attendance to the laboratorial classes is mandatory. Those students whose attendance is lower than 3/4 of the classes effectively taught are considered as without attendance, as long as these classes represent more than 50% of the classes predicted.

- Attendance to Theoretical classes is not compulsory.

Calculation formula of final grade

The Unit is evaluated in both the theoretical component (12/20 of the final grade) and laboratory component (8/20 of the final grade)

The students will have an intermediate test evaluation to be carried out throughout the semester and a second writen exam. During the semester there will be continuous evaluation in the laboratory classes.

The final classification correponds to the sum of the classifications obtained in the theoretical and laboratory components of both written exams and of the continuous evaluation of the laboratory classes. A minimum classification in either component is not required for approval at the discipline.

Oral examination will not be part of the evaluation.

The student is approved if a final score equal or higher than 9.5 is achieved.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As defined in the evaluation norms of the FFUP.

Classification improvement

- The intermediate evaluation cannot be repeated for grade improvement. The final grade can be improved by repeating a final exam adressing both the theoretical (12/20) and laboratory (8/20) components of the discipline, as determined by the FFUP evaluation norms of the current year.

Observations

Students should have a basic knowledge of Mechanistic Toxicology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Cellular Biology and should revise the general text books covering these themes.

Teaching Language: Portuguese and, eventually, English

This discipline uses the Moodle e-learning platform of the UP.

Mobility Students must be fluent in english. The discipline is lectured in portuguese language but english-written supporting bibliography (text books) are available at the library. The tests and exams of the mobility students are translated into english.