1. TOPICS TO DISCUSS
1. Preparations of hypothalamic hormones and their synthetic analogues. Main uses in clinical practice.
2. The main pharmacological effects and therapeutic use of octreotide.
3. Main functions of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Therapeutic uses of preparations of synthetic GnRH and its analogues. Correlation between the administration regimen (pulsatile or continuous) and the hormone action.
4. Analogues of prolactin release-inhibiting factor (dopamine) and their main pharmacological effects. Main therapeutic uses of bromocriptine.
5. Preparations of anterior pituitary hormones and their synthetic analogues. Main uses in clinical practice.
6. Preparations of posterior pituitary hormones. Main effects of oxytocin and uses in clinical practice. The preparations of antidiuretic hormone and its synthetic analogues. Main difference between vasopressin and desmopressin.
7. Drugs regulating bone mineral homeostasis. The actions of parathormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D3 on calcium and phosphate turnover. Preparations of parathormone and calcitonin and their main therapeutic uses. Drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis.
8. Thyroid hormones, their synthesis and major metabolic effects. Therapeutic use of triiodthyro-nine and thyroxine in the treatment of hypothyroid-ism. Complications of the treatment. Antithyroid drugs, their mechanisms of action and therapeutic use in different forms of hyperthyroidism. Main adverse effects.
9. Mechanisms of hypoglycemic action of insulin and its use in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Major hazards of insulin therapy.
10. The sources of insulin. Insulin preparations with different durations of action.
11. Oral hypoglycemic drugs: mechanisms of hypoglycemic action, therapeutic uses and adverse effects.