91014 - Nutritional Physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the physiology of motor, secretory and absorptive functions of the human digestive tract, the mechanisms of control of food and water homeostasis, the metabolism and the nutritional requirements in physiological and pathological conditions.

Course contents

1. Introduction to Nutritional Physiology

Principles of nutritional physiology. Evolution of human nutrition and physiological adaptations to different dietary patterns. Energy balance, energy expenditure and body weight regulation. Integration of neural, endocrine, immune and metabolic signals controlling nutrient intake and energy homeostasis.

2. Gastrointestinal Physiology and Nutrient Sensing

Physiological functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal motility, digestive secretions, digestion and absorption of macro- and micronutrients. Taste perception and nutrient sensing. Structure and functions of the enteric nervous system. Enteroendocrine cells and gastrointestinal hormones regulating digestion, nutrient absorption, metabolism and appetite.

3. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Homeostasis

Central and peripheral regulation of hunger, appetite and satiety. Hypothalamic regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Endocrine regulation of glucose homeostasis and postprandial metabolism. Physiological roles of insulin, glucagon, leptin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and other metabolic hormones. Endocrine functions of white, brown and beige adipose tissue, including adipokines, thermogenesis and metabolic adaptations. Endocrine crosstalk among adipose tissue, pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle and brain.

4. The Gut Microbiota, the Immune System and the Gut-Brain Axis

Composition and physiological functions of the gut microbiota. Bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system through neural, endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways. Role of microbial metabolites in host physiology and metabolism. Intestinal barrier function, oral immune tolerance and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Physiological and pathological responses to dietary antigens, including food allergies, food intolerances and coeliac disease.

5. Nutritional Physiology in Health and Disease

Physiological adaptations to feeding, fasting, physical activity and ageing. Endocrine and metabolic alterations associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Circadian regulation of metabolism and chrononutrition. Physiological basis of healthy dietary patterns.

Readings/Bibliography

Silverthorn D.U. Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach. Latest edition.

Lanham-New S.A., Hill T.R., Gallagher A.M., et al. Introduction to Human Nutrition. Latest edition.

The course does not rely on a single textbook. Lecture slides will be made available through the University's online learning platform. Additional teaching material, including selected review articles and recent primary research papers, will be provided throughout the course to complement the reference textbooks and discuss current advances in nutritional physiology, endocrine regulation of metabolism, the gut-brain axis and the physiological functions of the gut microbiota.

Teaching methods

Teaching is based on interactive lectures supported by ppt presentations. The course integrates the fundamental principles of nutritional physiology with recent advances in the field, promoting the understanding of the physiological mechanisms regulating nutrient digestion, absorption, energy homeostasis and metabolic adaptation.

Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom discussions on the topics addressed during the lectures, with particular emphasis on the integration of endocrine, neural and immune mechanisms involved in the regulation of nutrition and metabolism.

Assessment methods

Student learning of "Nutritional physiology" will be checked at the end of the course through a written test. The test will consist of 16 multiple choice questions (1 points per question, no penalty for wrong answers) and 2 open questions (7.5 points per question). The test duration will be 75 minutes.

Those who reach a minimum of 18 points pass the test. The number of correct answers, if greater than or equal to 18, corresponds to the final grade. Mark equal to 31 will be awarded with a 30 cum laude (30 with honors).

In case of failure or refusal, students can retake the exam on the first available examination date

A passing grade (i.e. mark above or equal to 18/30) in "Nutritional Physiology" and "Nutritional Biochemistry and Nutraceutics" is required to obtain the final assessment for the whole exam of "NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGY, NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND NUTRACEUTICS (I.C.)". The final mark will be calculated as the mean of the two marks.

In order to go through the final exam, the students must register in the electronic board respecting the deadline.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include ppt presentations, lecture slides and selected review articles from the scientific literature. All teaching materials will be made available to students through the University's online learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Monti