The endocrinology course aims to familiarize the student mainly with the details of the endocrinological control of energy metabolism, which knowledge is fundamental for anyone who wants to address the problems of physiological and clinical human nutrition

Introduction to general endocrinology, definition of hormone, role of the endocrine system as an information transmission network. Hormone/receptor interaction, the second messengers. General information on feedback systems. General information on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The neurohypophysis, the ADH. The regulation of water balance. General information on diabetes insipidus and SIAD. The risks of dehydration. Prolactin and hyperprolactinemia. The GH. Role of GH in growth and energy homeostasis General information on auxology. The endocrine pathophysiology of puberty. Acromegaly and gigantism. Thyroid pathophysiology. Goiter and iodine intake. General information on hypo- and hyper-thyroidism. The impact of "subclinical" dysthyroidism on body weight control. Adrenal pathophysiology. The stress response. General information on Cushing's syndrome and hypoadrenalism. Aldosterone. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system and the homeostasis of sodium and potassium. The light-dark cycles. Melatonin. General information on endocrine biorhythms. Phospho/calcium metabolism. Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. The vit. D and its role as a systemically acting hormone. Vit.D deficiency Osteoporosis. The bone-muscle “dialogue”. General information on energy homeostasis. The concept of “metabolic flexibility”. Metabolic characteristics of the post-prandial and post-absorptive phases. The neuroendocrine regulation of hunger and satiety. The timing of nutrition and its effects on neuro-endocrine balance Insulin and counterinsular hormones. Endocrine pathophysiology of obesity. Adipose tissue as a neuroendocrine organ. White and brown adipose tissue: the role of irisin. The metabolic syndrome. Dysfunctional adipose tissue as a "sequester" of hormones. Pathophysiology of T1 and T2 diabetes mellitus. DM's dietary therapy. Carbohydrate counting. Nutrition during physical activity in T1 and T2 diabetics. . The role of bariatric surgery and its adverse events: endocrine and nutritional aspects of dumping syndrome. Evolutionary or "Darwinian" approach to medicine. Evolutionary interpretative models on obesity and T2 diabetes. The theories of the “thrifty gene”, “fetal programming” and the “activity genotype”. Fructose as a nutritional "risk factor" for the development of metabolic diseases. Male endocrine pathophysiology. General information on hypogonadism. The role of androgens in male health. The relationship between obesity, metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism. Synthetic androgens and doping. The impact on health of so-called "ergogenics". Female endocrine pathophysiology. The role of estrogen in female health. Menopause. Relationships between obesity and female dysendocrines. PCO and its relationship with insulin resistance. General information on Eating Disorders (DCA). Relationships between sporting activity and dysendocrines: the "athlete's triad". General information on dyslipidemia.

• Knowledge and understanding :  Students will have to demonstrate that they are able to understand the basic principles of the functions of the endocrine system (hormone secretion, mode of action and effects of hormones, regulation of the endocrine system), as well as elements of pathophysiology, clinical, laboratory and instrumental diagnostics of the main diseases of the endocrine system.
•  Applied knowledge and understanding: Students should be able to use the notions and knowledge acquired and apply them in carrying out their practical activities as dietitians.
• Judgment autonomy: Students should be able to independently deepen the notions learned, in order to progressively acquire full maturity and autonomy of judgement, according to the relevant ethical principles.
• Communication skills: Students should be able to transmit the knowledge learned in a clear and comprehensible way to everyone, having acquired adequate communicative-relational skills and social skills useful for building communication between different subjects.
• Ability to learn: Students should acquire the ability to refine and deepen their knowledge, continuing independently in the study and updating of the skills necessary to carry out the professional activity of the dietitian

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures with the aid of slides

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom

Course books

Boscaro - Guida Pratica di Endocrinologia - ed. Piccin

Assessment

Oral examination

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Course books

Boscaro - Guida Pratica di Endocrinologia - ed. Piccin

Assessment

Oral examination

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.