Learning objectives
The student is asked to understand and learn the content of the course. Attendance to lessons, which is mandatory, will allow the student to acquire appropriate skills to describe, communicate effectively, use independence of judgment and comment the major topics of the program.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Initially the course introduces the student to the molecular organization and function of sarcomere describing the molecular action of contraction.
Metabolic interrelationships in tissues and organs: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Metabolism during feeding, fasting and stress. The Skeletal Muscle, sarcomere and myofibrillar proteins: structural organization, Molecular mechanisms of nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction. Energy for muscle contraction. Classification, properties and metabolism of muscle fibers. Distribution of the various types of fibers.
The course continues describing the function of energy substrates during different kind of physical exercise and dissecting the fatigue at molecular level.
Sources of energy in the muscle. Energy substrates present in the muscle fibers. Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism: aerobic, anaerobic a-lactate and anaerobic lactate. Effects of physical exercise on glucose transport systems and the effect of training. Carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Lipid metabolism during exercise. Amino acid and protein metabolism during exercise. Molecular signals and regulators of muscle fatigue. Training.
Then it will describe the action of hormones in relation to physical exercise and in pathological conditions.
Role of hormones in regulating the different metabolic activities and their variations in relation to activity and sport. Biochemistry of the endocrine system and its regulation. Structure and classification of hormones. Receptors and mechanism of action of hormones. Second messengers. Metabolic role of hormones. Hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. Anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system.
Finally, the role of laboratory medicine for general check-up of sportsman, the feeding behavior and healthy diet for athletes, as well as diet and physical exercise prescription for several pathological condition will be described.
Neuro-endocrine modulation of feeding behavior. Exercise physiology: mechanisms of action and methods for monitoring. Physical activity, diet, use of dietary supplements. Physical activity and metabolic diseases: role in prevention and therapy. The educational therapy and lifestyle. The main laboratory tests for general check-up and for sportsman. Understanding the role, importance and potential of laboratory medicine today. The control of food intake. Hunger and satiety. Psychological conditioning and food intake. Eating disorders (ED). Basal Metabolism and Metabolic balance. Nutrition in the early stages of life. Nutrition in the course of disease. The Diet prescription. Diet for the athlete. Diet for diseases due to overfeeding: obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, renal failure, gout. The Mediterranean Diet.
Full programme
Metabolic interrelationships in tissues and organs: metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Metabolism during feeding, fasting and stress. The Skeletal Muscle, sarcomere and myofibrillar proteins: structural organization, Molecular mechanisms of nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction. Energy for muscle contraction. Classification, properties and metabolism of muscle fibers. Distribution of the various types of fibers. Sources of energy in the muscle. Energy substrates present in the muscle fibers. Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism: aerobic, anaerobic a-lactate and anaerobic lactate. Effects of physical exercise on glucose transport systems and the effect of training. Carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Lipid metabolism during exercise. Amino acid and protein metabolism during exercise. Molecular signals and regulators of muscle fatigue. Training. Role of hormones in regulating the different metabolic activities and their variations in relation to activity and sport. Biochemistry of the endocrine system and its regulation. Structure and classification of hormones. Receptors and mechanism of action of hormones. Second messengers. Metabolic role of hormones. Anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system. Neuro-endocrine modulation of feeding behavior. Hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. Exercise physiology: mechanisms of action and methods for monitoring. Physical activity, diet, use of dietary supplements. Physical activity and metabolic diseases: role in prevention and therapy. The educational therapy and lifestyle. The main laboratory tests for general check-up and for sportsman. Understanding the role, importance and potential of laboratory medicine today. The control of food intake. Hunger and satiety. Psychological conditioning and food intake. Eating disorders (ED). Basal Metabolism and Metabolic balance. Nutrition in the early stages of life. Nutrition in the course of disease. The Diet prescription. Diet for the athlete. Diet for diseases due to overfeeding: obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, renal failure, gout. The Mediterranean Diet.
Bibliography
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Caldarera CM, BIOCHIMICA SISTEMATICA UMANA, 2003, Clueb
Teaching methods
The course will be held with oral lectures and seminars to deep single issues, and will make use of multimedia systems. During the lessons, students will have the opportunity to discuss the key aspects of the course. Teachers will be available throughout the duration of the course to answer questions and support students during their training with individual meetings by appointment.
Assessment methods and criteria
Evaluation will be through written exams in itinere managed by the teachers. The final exam will be oral once the student passes the written exams getting a positive grades. The commission, taking into account all the elements acquired during the evaluation process, will then formulate the final grade at the end of oral exam.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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