02715 - Nutritional Physiology

Learning outcomes

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

Course contents

Please note that the following program will be applied from the examination in the summer session of the year 2015 for all the students.

FUNCTIONS OF GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
Functional anatomy of gastrointestinal system
Structure of the gastrointestinal tract wall. Splanchnic circulation. Innervation of gastrointestinal system. Nervous regulation of functions of gastrointestinal system: enteric nervous system, sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, reflex activity. Hormonal regulation of gastrointestinal functions.

Motility of gastrointestinal system
Chewing. Swallowing. Motility of esophagus. Gastric motility: filling of stomach, movements of mixing and emptying of gastric contents. Vomiting. Emptying of gall bladder. Motility of small intestine, of large intestine and of rectum. Defecation. 

Secretion of gastrointestinal system
Salivary secretion: functions of saliva, secretion mechanisms and their regulation in physiological conditions. Gastric secretion. Hydrochloric acid: its functions, secretion mechanism and its regulation in physiological conditions. Pepsinogen: its functions, secretion
mechanism and its regulation in physiological conditions. Mucus secretion. Gastrin secretion. Pancreatic secretion: mechanisms of exocrine pancreatic secretion. Bicarbonate ions in pancreatic secretion; enzymes in pancreatic secretion. Regulation of pancreatic secretion in physiological conditions. Bile secretion: bile salts and thier rule in digestive process. Intestinal secretions.

Digestion and absorption
Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Digestion and absorption of proteins. Digestion and absorption of fats; role of bile salts in digestion and absorption of fats. Absorption of water and minerals: regulation of intestinal absorption of water and ions. Absorption of calcium and iron. 

Hypothalamic control of food and water intake and eating disorders
Regulation of food and water intake
Nervous centers controlling food and water intake. Factors controlling the amount of food. Mechanism of thirst. Short and long-term regulation.

Regulation of body weight
Energy balance. Body composition and few methods for its assessment. Loss of weight and effects on fat mass and fat-free mass.

Alimentary behaviour
Alimentary behaviour disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge-eating disorder. Obesity and its causes. Obesity and pregnancy. Caloric restriction. Useful methods to loose weight. Brown fat: functions and metabolism. Diabetes mellitus.

Energy Metabolism and Nutritional comsumption
Metabolism Basal metabolic rate. Energy metabolism and its regulation systems. Direct calorimetry. Indirect calorimetry. Factors that influence energy metabolism. Nutritional consumption in particular physiological states: diet during early childhood, adolescence; pregnancy, feeding; in sport; during third age. Introduction to artificial nutrition: enteral and parenteral nutrition.

Readings/Bibliography

E. Carbone, F. Cicirata, G. Aicardi, Fisiologia: dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati, EdiSES, 2009.
VANDER FISIOLOGIA. Widmaier Eric P., Raff Hershel, Strang Kevin T.; Ambrosiana Editori.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with video projections of Power Point presentations.

Assessment methods

 Examination consists of an oral examination for both the modules. The final vote of the integrated course will be the arithmetic average of the marks obtained in the two parts (Physiology of Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry).
 
The exam aims to verify and assess the achievement of learning objectives:
- knowledge of the physiology of the human digestive functions;
- knowledge of the mechanisms of homeostasis food and water;
- knowledge of the metabolism and nutritional requirements in physiological and pathological conditions.
Oral examination. The student will present two different subjects from the program of Physiology of Nutrition, chosen by the examiner. The student needs to have a decent preparation on both topics, in order to pass the examination. Registration is required by Alma Esami.
It will be assessed the student's ability to orient within the various topics of the Physiology program, also expressed by good expression and specific language.

Teaching tools

Video projections of Power Point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Michela Gamberini