69887 - Endocrinology

Learning outcomes

Describe the molecular basis of endocrine systems and the pathogenesis of endocrine diseases. Discuss the development and application of novel technological strategies for the diagnosis and therapy of endocrinological disesases in the daily clinical practice. Critically read and interpret scientific literature in the field of endocrinology and metabolism.

Course contents

1) The endocrine system: function, classification.

2) The endocrine axes and the target organs.

3) Food intake control. The homeostatic and hedonic control of food intake. The adipose tissue organ. Monogenic obesity. Endocrine causes of obesity. Metabolic syndrome. Obesity in rodents and its lab evaluation.

4) The basis of glicidic metabolism. Hyperinsulinism and its consequences. Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes therapy. GLP-1 derived drugs.

5) Molecular basis of thyroid carcinomas.

6) Molecular basis of adrenal adenomas.

7) Molecular basis of MEN-1 and MEN-2 syndromes, pituitary adenomas, parathyroid tumors.

8) Molecular basis of the somatostatin use in the treatment of the neuroendocrine tumors.

9) Analytical methodologies for hormone measurement.

Readings/Bibliography

Only as a further confirmation or as a general overview we suggest the following book:

"Core curriculum Endocrinologia e Metabolismo" di Faglia G, Beck-Peccoz P, Spada A, Lania A. Editore: Mc Graw-Hill 2009 1° edizione.

Teaching methods

The lectures will be interactive.

Two lectures will focus on technical approaches for hormone measurement.

Assessment methods

The assessment is in oral form.

The final note derives from the mean of the single notes obtained by all the Professors of the Integrated Course.

Teaching tools

The slides of the lectures represent the main tool. Each set of slides will be given at the end of each lecture.

A of articles and reviews will be provided on line concerning the topics presented during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Flaminia Fanelli