The Department of Pharmacology was created in 1944 and held this name until September 1, 2003. From 1944 to 1955 it was part of the Veterinary Faculty of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS), and from September 1, 1955 – part of the University of Agriculture. The function of the first Head of the Department was performed by doc. Stanisław Dłużewski. In 1947, Prof. Grzegorz Staśkiewicz – prof. extra (1959), professor of (1978), doctor honoris causa of the AR in Lublin (1989), organizer of the Department UMCS Veterinary Department and the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of UMCS, WSR and AR in Lublin; vice-dean (1960-1962) and dean (1966-1969) of this Faculty. The subject of the research carried out at that time concerned the pharmacokinetics of new forms of veterinary drugs, as well as phytochemical medicinal raw materials and fodder.

In the period from 1970 to 1992, the Department of Pharmacology was incorporated into the Institute of Physiological Sciences as the Department of Pharmacology and after the dissolution of the Institute in 1992, it again assumed the status of the Department.

After the departure of Prof. G. Staśkiewicz retired in 1979, the head of the then Department of Pharmacology was taken over by Prof. Zbigniew Roliński – associate professor (1982), professor (1990), director of the Institute of Physiological Sciences (1976-1992). The scope of research was extended to the issue of the pharmacology of the central nervous system in terms of the mechanisms of anti-aggressive and anticonvulsant action of drugs. Research in the field of pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of chemotherapeutic agents and their combinations has also continued.

In 2001, after the departure of Prof. Z. Roliński retired, the position of the head of the Department, and from October 1, 2001, the Department of Pharmacology was taken over by Prof. Cezary Kowalski – professor (2007), vice-dean of the Faculty of Med. Vet. UP (2008-2016). The professor organized a modern chromatography laboratory by taking steps and procedures to obtain GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), introduced modern, selective analytical methods to research and evaluation of drugs, and continues and develops research in the field of pharmacological and toxic evaluation of new veterinary drugs. He also studies the distribution and rate of elimination of drugs from the body and their residues in food of animal origin.

Toxicology was an integral part of the Department of Pharmacology and in 1972 the independent toxicological laboratory was created and doc. dr hab. Zygmunt Madejski was the head. In 1987 the Sub-Department of Toxicology and Environmental Protection was created and in 1991 it was transformed to the Department of Toxicology and Environmental Protection. Dr hab. Halina Kowalska-Pyłka – University Professor was the head until her retirement in 2002. The leading position was taken by prof. dr hab Wojciech Cybulski. In 2003 the Department was trandformed to the Sub-Department of Toxicology and Environmental Protection and together with the Sub-Department of Pharmacology and the Sub-Department of Pathophysiology formed the Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences. From 2008 to 2013 Dr hab. Grażyna Wałkuska – extraordinary prof. ULSL was the head of the Sub-Department of Toxicology and Environmental Protection. From 2013 the leadership was taken by Prof. dr hab. Jose Luis Valverde Piedra.

 In 2017 Department of Pharmacology and Department of Toxicology and Environmental protection  were joined into Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental protection.

Since September 1^st 2021, the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Protection was taken over by Prof. Jose Valverde Piedra.

The didactic activity at the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Protection is performed by two teams: the Pharmacology and Pharmacy Section and the Toxicology and Environmental Protection Section.

The Pharmacology and Pharmacy Section

Classes conducted include lectures and laboratory and field exercises in the subject of Veterinary Pharmacology, Veterinary Pharmacy, Fundamentals of Pharmacokinetics of Medicines and Clinical Pharmacy.

Teaching materials used during the classes are mainly multimedia presentations, books and scientific publications about the latest medicines used in veterinary medicine, as well as showcases with veterinary medicinal products and veterinary supplements, which enable students to familiarize themselves with the selected groups of drugs most frequently used in veterinary medicine.

 The Department has a specialized teaching base, especially within the Veterinary Pharmacy module, where students during practical classes make a number of prescription medicinal preparations in various forms (liquid drugs (ie. Lugol’s liquid), semi-solid drugs – ointments (ie. Camphor ointment) and solid drugs-powders (ie. Antimicrobial, drying and astringent powder for external use), thanks to which they learn the secrets of a pharmacist’s work and pharmacy practice.

At the same time, this skill is complemented by practical exercises within the Veterinary Pharmacology module, where students actively improve their skills regarding the preparation of a medical and veterinary prescription (its pharmaceutical analysis of 60 prescriptions for pharmacopoeial preparations and proprietary veterinary and human medicine products used in veterinary therapy).

Examples of knowledge ranges within the module rim.

• The purpose of the Veterinary pharmacology1 module is acquainting students with the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs in the body – absorption, bioavailability, distribution in tissues, biotransformation, excretion,; characteristics of groups of therapeutic agents – effects and mechanisms of their action on the body and individual organs; basic indications and contraindications to the use of individual groups of nervous system drugs in various animal species (pharmacological basis); running, supervising and modifying therapy in accordance with the latest developments in pharmaceutical sciences; independent assessment of the safety and rationalization of drug use.
• The purpose of the Veterinary pharmacology2 module is acquainting students with knowledge of detailed veterinary pharmacology, including the characteristics of therapeutic groups – effects and mechanisms of their action on the body and individual organs; basic indications and contraindications for the use of specific groups of drugs in various animal species (basics of pharmacotherapy of respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular tracts, mastitis, including rational antibiotic therapy, anticancer and antihistamine therapy); conducting, supervising and modifying therapy in accordance with the latest achievements of pharmaceutical sciences; independent assessment of the safety and rationalization of drug use; developing competence in the area of conscious and responsible application of knowledge acquired during the course of the subject.
• The purpose of the Veterinary pharmacy module is acquainting students with in the field of pharmacology and applied pharmacy covering issues not addressed, or discussed in a narrow scope during the basic course of veterinary pharmacology (acquiring the ability to write a prescription correctly, practical skills to perform basic prescription drugs, drug interactions with food, alternative methods of therapy).

The Department has conducted 5 habilitation and 13 doctoral dissertations. Currently, three doctoral theses are underway.

Scientific activity

– Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of veterinary, antibacterial, antiparasitic and analgesic drugs, enabling both precise dosage level determination and evaluation of their effects in the body, moreover, determining the time of their elimination from the system.

– Development of analytical methods and procedures with repeatable quantification, in which analytical conditions are selected in a way that allows the determination of the levels of test substances (drugs) in tissues and products of animal origin.

– The role of free radicals and antioxidants in the functioning of the body.

– Assessment of the toxic effects of drugs and resistance of pathogenic strains to chemotherapeutic agents used in veterinary medicine.

– Research into new, more effective drugs (combinations of chemotherapeutic agents).

Didactic activity of the Toxicology and Environmental Protection section

The team is responsible for providing the courses of Environmental Protection, Toxicology for undergraduates students and Animal models in biomedical studies. Moreover, an elective course “Toxicological Laboratory Analysis” is offered within the didactic activities of the group.

Lectures and multimedia presentations, films, papers and discussions about the issues raised in papers are used as teaching methods. Films showing most often occurring intoxication in farm and companion animals are used in the course. Pictures of pathological changes in organs of intoxicated animals are shown in the Toxicology course. Theoretical and practical training on the main methods of instrumental analysis applied in a toxicological laboratory are performed in the toxicological Laboratory Analysis course. 

Environmental Protection module

Learning Objectives      

Learning environmental risks resulting from anthropogenic activity. Knowledge of toxic substances which have  been identified as a source of soil, water and air pollution with special regard to the sources and hazards resulting from the exposure to their toxicity and the methods of preventing or reducing toxic emission. The risk of infectious and non infectious diseases in fishes and domestic animals due to the exposure to contaminated environment. Awareness of the role of veterinary surgeon in environmental protection.

Course contents – lectures         

Basic issues of environmental protection: terminology, significance of environmental monitoring (measurement methods), processes occurring in natural and artificial ecosystems, pollutants of ecosystems and their impact on animal feed and animals’ health (set standards),  presence of natural toxic compounds in animal feed, foreign substances in food of animal origin. The impact of pharmaceutical products on fish health –treatment of fish, with antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiseptic and disinfectants drugs. Theoretical basis of clinical applications on the of and applied knowledge. Legal articles and institutions in charge of environmental protection in Poland and abroad.

Course contents – exercises

Water cycle in biosphere, hydrological balance. Sources and types of air, water and soil contamination, environmental pollution prevention. Effects of air, water and soil pollution and their impact on the quality of animal feed and animals’ health. Ways of reduction of industrial gases and dust. Natural environment and its protection. Global effects. Ionizing radiation and its impact on human and animal health. Types of waste and methods of waste management. Sewage treatment. The role of veterinary surgeon in environmental protection. Veterinary and environmental monitoring.

Learning outcomes expected and competences acquired

Mastering considerable knowledge of environmental toxicology, acquisition of skills in estimating and preventing environmental threats resulting from exposure to pollutants.

Knowledge of toxic substances which have  been identified as a source of soil, water and air pollution with special regard to the sources and hazards resulting from the exposure to their toxicity and the methods of preventing or reducing toxic emission. Awareness of the role of veterinary surgeon in environmental protection.

Toxicology Module

Learning Objectives      

Acquiring the knowledge pertaining to the etiopathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment and prevention of animal intoxication. Training specialists in veterinary toxicology able to estimate and prevent the threat of exposure to environment contamination substances.

Course contents – lectures         

Basic knowledge concerning toxins and intoxication. Division of toxins, the effect, absorption, distribution and excretion of toxins, types of intoxication. Biotransformation of toxins and the factors which influence their metabolism. Toxin effect on animal constitution. Factors conditioning intoxication. Basic parameters of toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, toxicometry. Toxicological standards vs. chemical residues. Characteristic of toxin groups according to the pattern: the sources of exposure, toxicity and the mechanism of the impact, species susceptibility, clinical symptoms, anatomopathological symptoms, diagnosis, laboratory material, treatment, prognosis.   Immunotoxicology – major immunotoxicants. Immunotoxicity risk assessment. Environmental toxicological risks resulting from anthropogenic activity.

Course contents – exercises

Animal intoxication caused by inorganic compounds (NaCl, nitrates, nitrites, zinc, phosphide, alkalies, elements such as: Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Se, Cr and Mn). Animal intoxication caused by organic compounds (urea, cresol and its derivatives, phenol, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons and their PCBs homologues, dioxines). Intoxication with pesticides used in plant and animal protection: insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides etc.) Intoxication with poison plants. Toxicological laboratory diagnostics. Collecting biological material and sending it to toxicological laboratory as well as writing guiding letters and records of toxicological tests. Methods of instrumental examination in toxicology. Basic rules of detection and estimation of heavy metals, inorganic water-soluble toxic compounds, gassy substances, organic solvents, drugs, pesticides and other inorganic and organic substances which may cause intoxication  of animals. Immunotoxicology in human and animals. New methods in immunotoxicology (In vitro methods for immunotoxicity evaluation).

Learning outcomes expected and competences acquired

Training graduates who have knowledge in veterinary toxicology, ecotoxicology and public health protection, including the: identification of the sources of xenobiotics and the degree and risk of animal exposure as well as prevention of human beings from the hazard of chemical residues in food of animal origin. Knowledge of toxic substances which have  been identified as a source of soil, water and air pollution with special regard to the sources and hazards resulting from the exposure to their toxicity and the methods of preventing or reducing toxic emission. Awareness of the role of veterinary surgeon in environmental protection.

Scientific activity

Scientific activity of the team is dedicated to ecotoxycological and bioactivity aspects of interaction of selected  xenobiotics in the target organs, especially:

– The use of suit water fish and snails as bio-indicators of the heavy metal pollution in central-eastern region of Poland.

– The use of milk-borne bioactive peptides and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) bioactive substances against cadmium toxicity in mammals.

– The impact of heavy metals on the health status of the European Bison in the Bialowieza Forest.

– Comparative studies of the content of heavy metals and pesticides in the cereal grains and in feed mixtures and their transfer to the tissues of animals fed mixtures containing various cereals components. In the frame of the project “Development and assessment of the sustainable basis for economic, productive and biosafe livestock nutrition system utilizing the Poland’s natural resources, and particularly the modern rye varieties”.