Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Medical Biochemistry

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
CFUBK_082
Branch of Science
Chemical sciences
ECTS
16.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Human Physiology and Biochemistry
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, cfbk@rsu.lv, dace.reihmane@rsu.lv, +371 67061550

About Study Course

Objective

To provide theoretical and practical knowledge of biochemical processes (digestion and metabolism) occurring in human organism on a molecular level. To facilitate the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of biochemical processes both on molecular as well as on physiological level. To elucidate differences in and specific adaptations of biochemical processes in various tissues/organs (cell metabolism). To gain insight in pathological processes related to energy metabolism. To know the use of important biochemical markers and understand basic principles of their quantitative and qualitative detection methods.

Preliminary Knowledge

Physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.On completion of the course students will be able to: • explain and describe the synthesis and hydrolysis of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates; • name factors influencing enzyme activity; • classify digestive enzymes according to their mechanism of action and name the enzymes involved in digestion of the main nutrient classes; • recognise and name the basic metabolites of carbohydrate metabolism, name enzymes and characterise their principle of action, explain the role and regulation of various metabolic pathways and cycles (e.g. glycolysis, oxidative decarboxylation and the Krebs cycle, glycogen synthesis and breakdown); • identify and recognise the major metabolites of lipid metabolism, name enzymes and describe their principle of action, explain the role and regulation of various metabolic pathways (e.g. beta oxidation, fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis); • recognise and name the major metabolites of amino acid metabolism, name enzymes and characterise the principle of action, explain the role and regulation of metabolic pathways (e.g. ammonium detoxification and urea cycle); • describe metabolic pathways in human metabolism that connect carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids and allow these groups of substances to transform into each other, name hormones that affect these transformations; • name and explain complications related to dysfunction of biochemical pathways studied in the course (e.g. lactoacidosis and ketoacidosis); • name and explain differences between biochemical processes of various tissues/organs (cellular metabolism) and their specific adaptations; • learn methods required for basic biochemistry analysis performed in medicine.

Skills

1.1. Use of knowledge – ability to: • explain how enzymes activity is affected, based on the mechanism of action of enzymes; • explain how molecules are sequentially digested during digestion process, identify end products of digestion process; • explain step by step using the appropriate metabolic pathways, carbohydrates degradation for energy generation and carbohydrate storage; • explain sequentially with appropriate metabolic pathways, lipid breakdown for energy extraction and carbohydrates storage; • explain sequentially using the appropriate metabolic pathways, the degradation of amino acids for energy generation, fate of the carbon skeleton and the ammonia detoxification; • explain step by step using the appropriate metabolic pathways, interactions between fats and sugars and evaluate in which metabolic situations these transformations take place; • explain the application and basic principle of biochemical tests of biological samples (blood and urine) used to determine the functional state of the human body. 2. Problem solving skills. 3. Skills to use scientific literature as a source of information. 4. Laboratory safety skills. 5. Communication skills gained through organized team work.

Competences

1.On completion of the course students will be able to: • assess possible changes in the regulation of enzymes in various homeostatic disorders and predict the consequences on total metabolism; • analyse possible changes on the digestive process with low activity of certain digestive enzymes, and predict consequences on the total spectrum of absorbed nutrients; • analyse possible changes in human metabolism in the presence of some carbohydrate, lipid or amino acid pathway disorders and predict their effects on other metabolic pathways and human homeostasis; • use the skills acquired in laboratory work – prepare and conduct laboratory experiment, use the relevant equipment and evaluate the results in further practical or scientific work; • integrate knowledge of biochemistry as part of the knowledge of the individual by promoting a perception of the human as a single organism.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Individual work
-
-
Study course includes 238 hours of independent work, 22 of those are going to be in the form of organized work for preparation of presentations. Other 216 hours include the following: • independent study of sources provided in e-studies (books, review articles); • prior preparation of homework given in e-studies (multiple tasks representing the main concept of the colloquium) for each practical class and covering topics from previous lectures; • completing on-line tests in e-studies prepared for each practical class for self-control; • preparation of practical work reports; • use of ones own knowledge in resolving cases (list of clinical tasks can be found on e-studies); • analysis of scientific publications; • individual preparation for colloquiums and exam; • voluntary research work. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Examination
-
-
The protocol of laboratory work includes justification of the results obtained, interpretation of the results in the clinical aspect, answers to an additional individual question related to the topic Colloquium include detailed multiple choice questions that require specific theoretical and practical knowledge; various assignments assessing students’ understanding of biochemical processes and their regulation; clinical tasks estimating the ability to use the acquired knowledge by analyzing simplified clinical tasks. Examination (final assessment) includes general multiple choice questions on all topics covered during the study course; various written assignments requiring detailed knowledge of the main digestive and metabolic processes; oral questions which are designed to evaluate students’ general understanding of the relationship between biochemical processes that provide homeostasis in the body and potential dismetabolism or related pathologies. The final grade in study course Medical Biochemistry will be cumulative assessment of interim (50%) and end-of-course (50%) examinations. During the study course there will be 4 Interim examinations – colloquiums. Grade of colloquiums will be cumulative assessment of: • actual results of colloquium (85%); • average results of the mandatory quizzes held after each seminar (15%). For successful preparation for seminars bonus points to the respective colloquium can be gained. If quiz before seminar is filled out with ≥ 70% correct answers, student earns additional 1% to the colloquium grade. To gain access to Interim examinations: • all corresponding E-protocols must be passed (≥ 85% correct answers); • all quizzes after seminars must be held; • for first colloquium (Semester 1) additionally Test "Macromolecules and reaction mechanisms" must be passed. • for fourth colloquium (Semester 2) additionally Presentation "Novelty of the year in biochemistry" must be made. After successful interim examinations one written final exam will be held.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Semester 1
  1. Organic Compounds. Functional Groups and Isomers.

EventType
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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Functional groups, isomers, basic organic compounds.

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1
2.
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1
  1. General properties of functional groups. Reaction types (Oxidation – Reduction; Condensation and Hydrolysis; SN1, SN2, E1, E2).

EventType
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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Functional groups, reaction mechanisms (oxidation – reduction; condensation, hydrolysis; SN, E mechanisms). Chemical bonds.

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1
2.
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Carbohydrates. Structure. Properties.

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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Reducing properties of sugars.

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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Structure, optical and structural isomers, mono-, di-, poli-saccharides.

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2.
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3.
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1
  1. Fats. Structures. Properties.

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Lecture
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Other
2
  1. Amino acids and Proteins. Structure. Properties.

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Lecture
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Auditorium
2
  1. Denaturation of proteins.

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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
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Laboratory
1
  1. Lipids. Structures. Properties. Amino acids, proteins, structures. Intermolecular forces.

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1
2.
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3.
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1
  1. Enzymes, enzyme classes, enzyme specificities.

EventType
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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Influence of temperature and pH on enzyme activity.

EventType
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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
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Laboratory
1
  1. Test: Macromolecules and reaction mechanisms. / Recognizing and describing enzyme classes.

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1
2.
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Enzyme activation and inhibition mechanisms.

EventType
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Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Specificity of enzymes.

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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Enzyme activation and inhibition mechanisms, their use in medicine.

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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
  1. Regulation of Enzyme activity in metabolic pathways, vitamins as biological catalysts.

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Lecture
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Auditorium
2
  1. Activation and inhibition of salivary amylase, changes in amyloclastic force.

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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
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Laboratory
1
  1. General metabolic regulation and vitamin derived cofactors.

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1
2.
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and proteins.

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Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Analysis of glucosidases in digestive juices.

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Class/Seminar
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Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Hydrolysis of nutrients, peptide chain cleavage.

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Class/Seminar
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1
2.
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Digestion and absorption of lipids, synthesis and functions of bile acids/salts.

EventType
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Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Functions of the lipase and bile, structure of bile acids.

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Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Hydrolysis of nutrients, diseases related to digestion.

EventType
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Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Colloquium I.

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Contact hours
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Class/Seminar
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1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Glycolysis

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Regulation of glycolysis, differences in various tissues

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Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Oxidative decarboxylation. The Citric Acid (Tricarboxylic acid, Krebs) Cycle.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Determination of succinate dehydrogenase.

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Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Anabolic role of CAC. Calculations of acquired energy.

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1.
Class/Seminar
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Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Bioenergetics, role of ATP in human metabolism. Oxidative stress.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Determination of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase).

EventType
Modality
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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Oxidative stress. Activators and inhibitors of ETC.

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Class/Seminar
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Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Anaerobic glycolysis, buffer systems, gluconeogenesis, cori cycle.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Other
2
  1. Determination of pyruvate, lactate.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
1
  1. Lactic acidosis - symptoms, causes and treatments.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Malate-aspartate shuttle. Glycerol-3P shuttle. Pentose Phosphate Pathway. Fructose metabolism.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Metabolism of glycogen and galactose. Blood glucose homeostasis.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Oxidation of carbohydrates. Dismetabolism.

EventType
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1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Storage of carbohydrates. Dismetabolism.

EventType
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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
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Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Colloquium II.

EventType
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1.
Class/Seminar
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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
8.00
Contact hours:
103 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Semester 2
  1. Transport and storage of lipids. Biosynthesis of cholesterol, functions.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), Cholesterol, relation to high CH diet, hypercholesterolaemia.

EventType
Modality
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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Fatty Acid Catabolism, Ketogenesis

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Energy in lipid metabolism – calculations. Carnitine deficiency, ketoacidosis.

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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Lipid biosynthesis (Fatty acids, TAGs and membrane Phospholipids).

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Lipid biosynthesis - calculations, related pathologies.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Protein catabolism, amino acid oxidation and the production of urea.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Transamination, deamination, role in various tissues. Importance of clinical biomarkers (ALT and AST).

EventType
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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Biosynthesis of amino acids, their derivates – biogenic amines, creatine, glutathione. Biosynthesis and degradation of purines, pyrimidines, heme.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Variety of nitrogen containing compounds and their functions in body.

EventType
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1.
Class/Seminar
On site
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1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Hormones – classification and characteristics based on structure, general action mechanisms.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Hormonal regulation (insulin, glucagon) of metabolism in absorptive/postabsorptive periods.

EventType
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Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
1
  1. Blood and urine biomarkers of nitrogen metabolism.

EventType
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Contact hours
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Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Colloquium III.

EventType
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Contact hours
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Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. Liver metabolism.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. The role of liver in detoxification. Enzymes in diagnostics (e.g. ALT, AST, Alkaline phosphatase).

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1.
Class/Seminar
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Other
1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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Other
1
  1. Obesity, body weight regulation.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Factors related to increased risk of obesity.

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Class/Seminar
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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Fuel metabolism during exercise.

EventType
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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Aspects that determine the use of different energy systems. Heath benefits provided by regular physical activity.

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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Can we "run away" from Metabolic Syndrome?

EventType
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Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.

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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. Metabolic aspects of oncological disease.

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1.
Lecture
On site
Auditorium
2
  1. Big data analysis with R.

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1
2.
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1
3.
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1
  1. Colloquium IV.

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1
2.
Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
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1
  1. General overview about enzymes and digestion.

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2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
  1. General overview about carbohydrate metabolsim.

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Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
2.
Class/Seminar
On site
Auditorium
1
3.
Class/Seminar
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Auditorium
1
  1. General overview about protein and lipid metabolism.

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3.
Class/Seminar
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
8.00
Contact hours:
73 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Nelson, D. L. and Cox, M. M. 2017. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 7th ed. New York: W. H. Freeman & Co (ISBN: 978-1464187964)

2.

Baynes, J.W. and Marek H. Dominiczak M.H. 2019. Medical Biochemistry. 5th ed. Elsevier Limited.

Additional Reading

1.

Murray, R. K., Granner, D.K., Mayes, P. A. and Rodwell, V.W. 2018. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies.

2.

Berg, J. M. , Tymoczko, J.L. and Stryer, L. 2015. Biochemistry. 5th ed. New York: W H Freeman.

3.

Devlin, T.M. 2011. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations (Wiley-Liss; 7th ed.). 1240

4.

Harvey, R.A. and Ferrier, D.R. 2010. Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry (Lippincott's Illustrated Teviews Series). 544

5.

Miķelsone, V. 2008. Bioķīmija. Jelgava, LLU.

6.

Lieberman, M.A. and Peet, A. 2018. Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry. 5th ed. Lippincott Williams& Wilkins

7.

Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students:

8.

Murray, R. K., Granner, D.K., Mayes, P. A. and Rodwell, V.W. 2018. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 31th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies.

9.

Devlin, T.M. 2011. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations (Wiley-Liss; 7th ed.). 1240

10.

Harvey, R.A. and Ferrier, D.R. 2010. Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry (Lippincott's Illustrated Teviews Series). 544

Other Information Sources

1.

Zinātniskie raksti PubMed žurnālos

2.

Currie, E., Schulze A., Zechner R., Walther, T. C., and Farese Jr., R. V. 2013. Cellular Fatty Acid Metabolism and Cancer. Cell Metabolism. 18 (2), 153–161.

3.

Kaoutari, A. E., Armougom, F., Gordon, J. I., Raoult, D. and Henrissa, B. 2013. The abundance and variety of carbohydrate-active enzymes in the human gut microbiota. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 11, 497–504.

4.

Mudgil, D. and Barak, S., 2013. Composition, properties and health benefits of indigestible carbohydrate polymers as dietaryfiber:A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.61, 1-6. Science Direct. Research gate.

5.

Vaishnavi, S. N., Vlassenko, A. G., Rundle, M. M., Snyder, A. Z., et.al. 2010. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 107 (41) 17757-17762.

6.

Wu, F. and Minteer, S. 2015. Krebs Cycle Metabolon: Structural Evidence of Substrate Channeling Revealed by Cross‐Linking and Mass Spectrometry. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 54: 1851-1854.

7.

King, M. W. The medical biochemistry page.

8.

Lipid absorption 2016. In Boron, W. and Boulpaep E,. ed. Medical Physiology. 3rd ed. Philadelpia: Elsevier.

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