- Docente: Vittorio Tomasi
- Credits: 5
- SSD: BIO/09
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biological sciences (cod. 0091)
Course contents
Omeostasis of milieu interieur: nefron structure and function, speed of glomerular filtration, current transport and Henle loop, obligatory and facultative absorption of water, iuxtaglomerular apparatus and macula densa. Their role in arterial pressure regulation. Pharmacological aspects of hypertension treatment. Role of kidney in the regulation of blood pH.
Control of arterial pressure: Guyton hypothesis, regulation at central nervous system level. Pharmacological aspects of hypertension treatment and the role of adrenergic receptors, importance of the heart in vasodilatatory action of ANP.
Vascular biology: morphology of endothelial cells and of smooth muscle cells. Their role in vascular tone control, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Polypeptide growth factor involved: vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). Novel concepts about tissue specificity of VEGFs, angiopoietins, FGF family.
Respiratory system: anatomo-functional aspects. Modification of air during respiration, respiratory mechanism, vital capacity, adaptation to hypoxia, respiratory center and frequency regulation. Oxigen sensors. Pathophysiological aspects: primary pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis.
Neuroendocrinology: opiate receptor and opioid peptides, cocain and caudate nucleus, role of dopamine. Pineal and biological rithms, melatonin and sleep. Hypothalamic centers: role of leptin in the control of satiety and hunger; interaction hypothalamus-hypophysis; termoregulation.
Mechanism of action of hormones and neurotransmitters: chemical classification of hormones and neurotransmitters. Membrane cytosolic and nuclear receptors; binding hormone-receptor; endocrinology and autoimmunity: example of autoimmune endocrinological diseases; second messengers and signal transduction; hormones, tumours and ectopic production of hormones; genetics and polypeptidic hormone production.
Endocrine system: hypophysis (TSH and thyroid, ACTH and adrenals, GH and growth), regulation of glycemia, role of pancreas and adrenal medulla. Pathophysiological aspects of endocrinology.
Seminars and laboratory training: mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases synthesis of small interfering RNA and control of inflammatory diseases and tumours.
Office hours
See the website of Vittorio Tomasi