Ateneo - UPO

The contents of the course concern the pathophysiology of the endocrine system and the main endocrine-metabolic disorders in relation to aspects of nutrition and environmental factors. The content of the lessons will privilege the established and emerging links of biological and epidemiological relevance existing between hormone pathophysiology and environmental biology, including intrinsic and man-made environmental factors.

Teacher's slides and any emerging study worth of evidence.

The module aims to prepare students for the aspects of known and emerging nutritional and environmental issues with an impact on the endocrine system and potentially involved in the main endocrine-metabolic diseases. Observations of an epidemiological nature of nutritional and environmental relevance will be highlighted. Some basic etiological, diagnostic and therapeutic notions of these pathologies will be provided, emphasizing the role of environmental sciences for each one.

To pursue teaching profitably, the student must be in
possession of the essential notions of anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry and physiology.

Power-point presentations. Scientific articles from peer-reviewed journals.

If necessary, in-depth sessions preparatory to the exam will be offered, to be agreed directly with the lecturer.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse

e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

In order to evaluate knowledge and understanding of the different topics of the teaching subject as well as learning skills, independent judgment and communication skills, the test will consist of a written test. The test consists of multiple choice questions relating to the study program, in addition to a common scientific article for the other disciplines of the integrated course.

• General notions on the organization of the endocrine system and in relation to external factors including the effect of polluting agents, infective organisms, social factors, and working shifts
• The hypothalamic-pituitary system
and diseases, tumorigenesis relating to environmental factors, the role of stress on epigenetic mechanisms, environmental endocrine disruptors and pituitary tumors, the effect of pituitary diseases on metabolism.
• Thyroid physiology, impact of iodine and nutraceuticals on thyroid function, thyroid dysfunctions and tumors, molecular mechanisms.
• Adrenal hormones, hyper- and hypo-corticosurrenalism
• Diabetes and its relation to the environment, pathophysiology of adipose tissue, brain control of feeding behavior, genetic and non genetic determinants of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, endocrine disruptors acting on metabolic homeostasis (obesogens).

At the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate that they have learned the notions related to the influences of nutritional and environmental factors on the functioning of the endocrine and metabolic system, and on the pathophysiology of the most common endocrine-metabolic diseases in the context of potential biological applications. The aim is therefore to increase biological skills in endocrine-metabolic diseases in relation to pathogenetic factors of environmental and nutritional origin.