Bi5595 Basics in Toxicology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium), z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Adamovský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Iva Sovadinová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jiří Novák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. RNDr. Luděk Bláha, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Ivan Holoubek, CSc.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 9:00–10:50 409-stara KAM1
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
Bi5595/Muzeum: No timetable has been entered into IS.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
- have the general knowledge in the main fields associated with toxicology;
- get well oriented in the area of clinical toxicology; epidemiology, immunotoxicology, reproductive toxicology;
- clarify principals and methods of molecular toxicology;
- discuss causes of organ and organismal toxicity in human;
- explain basic approaches and principles of ecotoxicology;
- critically assess exposure sources (industrial and professional exposure and toxicity), etc.;
- describe the biotransformation and toxicokinetics of xenobiotics;
- characterize the major phases of interaction of xenobiotics with organism, including the dose-response relationship;
- understand the issues related to mutagenesis and carcinogenesis;
- summarize methods in experimental toxicology, know modern methods in toxicology and their development;
- be well oriented in toxicology literature and actively use international toxicology databases;
- discuss and critically evaluate toxicological issues of main types of inorganic and organic compounds (pharmaceuticals, priority pollutants, metals etc.);
- define toxicological problems of agrochemicals, namely pesticides;
- know the rules for protection and first aid in case of poisoning by basic types of chemicals;
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to toxicology – Information about course, its organization, goals and content. Definition of toxicology, historical aspects, its place among other scientific disciplines, its specializations. Nomenclature, types of toxic compounds, their toxicologically important characteristics. Types of exposure and effects. Dose-response relationship. Factors affecting the manifestation of toxicity.
  • 2. Principals of toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics, uptake of toxic compounds, distribution of toxic substance within organisms, their biotransformation and excretion. Interactions (phys-chem)- on cellular and subcellular level. Molecular toxicology. The properties of target molecules. Reactions with target molecules.
  • 3. Nonorgan-directed toxicity - interaction of toxic compounds with fundamental cellular systems. Interaction with DNA: disruption of repair mechanisms, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, epigenetic changes. Interaction with proteins: mechanisms of effects. Interaction with cellular membranes: changes in structure, effects on membrane potential; influence on redox balance. Developmental toxicity: mechanisms, critical developmental stages.
  • 4. Target organ toxicology I. - interaction of toxic compounds with fundamental structural and metabolic systems in organisms. Skin: basic function and structure, contact damage, phototoxicity. Respiration system: structure and function, mechanisms of effects, acute and chronic effects. Heart and cardiovascular system: general mechanisms of cardiotoxicity; Blood and haemopoiesis; Kidney: acute and chronic type of damage; Liver: mechanisms of effects of toxicants, damage to structure, detoxification and activation.
  • 5. Target organ toxicology II. – toxicity toward control systems. Nervous system: specific toxicological properties; examples and mechanisms of effects of neurotoxins. Endocrine system: specific characteristics of endocrine glands, examples and mechanisms of effects of toxicants; Endocrine disruption: mechanisms; Reproduction system: reproduction cycle, developmental toxicity.
  • 6. Regulatory toxicology, risk assessment. Scheme and application of risk evaluation (exposure, effects, hazard indexes, control of risk, cost-benefit analysis). Use of toxicological data and practical derivation of limits (tolerable daily uptake, maximal permissible concentrations in water, residues in food, principals applied by WHO). Principals of control of toxic compounds in EU and in USA. Introduction to binding legislation covering regulation of chemical compounds in EU (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals - REACH). Laws and system of control of protection of people from toxic compounds (chemical residues in food, in water, in air; structure and duties of control organs - government, offices of public health; responsibilities of other parties).
  • 7. Experimental methods in toxicology, assessment of toxicity. Legislative guidelines and alternative tests, current trends in toxicity people, 3R principle. Application of tested compounds. System of international guidelines for in vivo and in vitro tests. Tests of acute toxicity (oral, inhalatory, percutaneous) and irritability, subacute, subchronic and chronic toxicity. Toxicometry. Modern toxicological methods and alternative approaches, toxicogenomics - bioinformatics. Methods in silico, QSAR.
  • 8. Food safety and toxicology, veterinary toxicology. Alkaloids in food stuff (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, solanaceous Alkaloids -solanine, tomatine, xanthine alkaloids-caffeine, cocaine). Heavy metals in food stuff and their toxicology. Bacterial infection and intoxication (botulism). Mycotoxins (aflatoxins). Summary of pesticides used in the Czech Republic and their residues in food. Food additives. Veterinary drugs in food stuff.
  • 9. Occupational Toxicology. Solvents and their toxicity (benzene, toluene, alcohols, volatile solvents, chlorinated solvents). Elimination of everyday exposure (protective equipment). Pesticides, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals(Be, Hg) in occupational exposure (Be, Hg). Silicates and their particles. Chemicals in office workspace and inner building spaces (brominated flame retardants, particles from copy machines, PFOS, phthalates, bisphenol-A). Radiation and ionizing radiation.
  • 10. Toxicology of household and personal care products: surfactants, plastificators, flame retardants, PFOS, musks; pharmaceuticals: characterization, therapeutic index, interactions, examples of case studies. Natural toxins: overview, toxicology and examples (toxins of plants, fungi, cyanobacteria, invertebrates, insect, fish, reptiles, mammals).
  • 11. Environmental toxicology and ecotoxicology. The importance of control of toxicity of samples from various environmental compartments. Assessment of other stressors (GMO, noise, radiation etc.). Environment and chemical compounds (sources, types of pollution, environmental fate of pollutants, bioavailibility, biomagnification in food chains). Impact of environmental pollutants on human health (food chains, chemical compounds in various matrices - water, soil, air). Environmental epidemiology. Wastes and their toxicity. Disasters with release of toxic compounds, ecological disasters. Ecotoxicology - principles, models for ecotoxicity assessment - biotests, application of ecotoxicology in practical assessment and control of risks.
  • 12. Practical aspects of toxicology, principals of protection and first aid against poisoning with basic types of chemicals. Analytical and forensic toxicology, clinical toxicology.
Literature
  • Casarett & Doull's essentials of toxicology. Edited by Curtis D. Klaassen - John B. Watkins. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2010, xi, 459. ISBN 9780071742740. info
  • Principles and methods of toxicology. Edited by A. Wallace Hayes. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare, 2008, xxiii, 227. ISBN 9780849337789. info
  • BOELSTERLI, Urs A. Mechanistic toxicology : the molecular basis of how chemicals disrupt biological targets. London: Taylor & Francis, 2003, xxiv, 314. ISBN 0-415-28458-9. info
  • TICHÝ, Miloň. Toxikologie pro chemiky : toxikologie obecná, speciální, analytická a legislativa. 2. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2003, 119 s. ISBN 802460566X. info
  • PROKEŠ, Jaroslav. Základy toxikologie. 1. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 1997, 165 s. ISBN 8071844187. info
Teaching methods
The lectures are interactive with support of audiovisual presentations. Students are encouraged to get involved in discussion on the presented topics to support their critical thinking. The emphasis is placed on toxicology mechanisms and principles and broader context and practical applications of the individual toxicology branches for protection of health and the environment. Part of the class is also a seminar project based on a study and synthesis of information on a specific topic.
Assessment methods
The attendance to the lectures is highly recommended for successful fulfillment of the class´ aims and also in regard to the interactive style of the lectures. There will be one written test during the semester to check the gained knowledge. Part of the class is also a seminar project. The final evaluation will be based on a final written test at the end of semester.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
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