Pharmacodynamic Evaluation
The pharmacological department is able to conduct basic pharmacological screening and to assess the pharmacodynamic profiles of effective substances. These experimental studies are performed on common laboratory rodents. Mouse/rat strains with a spontaneous mutation in the leptin receptor gene are used as models of type 2 diabetes. Hypolipidemic effects can either be studied in experimental diet-fed dyslipidemic rodents or in genetically modified mice. The anti-obesity effects of compounds are tested using the DIO rat model. Our modern laboratories and animal facilities make possible the usage of both in vitro and in vivo assays for the characterization of new compounds.
Our efforts are focused on the research of insulin analogs, anti-obesity compounds and hypolipidemics as well as the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities of drugs. The established methodology ranges from acute tests for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and analgesic potency to complex chronic models of human diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemic syndrome, obesity or autoimmune disorders. The in vivo testing is complemented by in vitro or ex vivo measurements as appropriate, including biochemical analyses and characterization of the basic mediators and hormones involved. Compound exposure effects can be determined in both acute and chronic studies.
