Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology

Head of the Department: prof. dr. hab. n. med. Piotr Tutka

Piotr-Tutka

Visiting Professor, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Head of Laboratory for Innovative Research in Pharmacology

University of Rzeszow

Address: Natural and Medical Center for Innovative Research,

1A Warzywna St., 35-310 Rzeszów, building G4, room 209

E-mail: ptutka@ur.edu.pl

Tel: ++ 48 17 851 68 88

 

Team:

dr inż. Anna Czerniecka-Kubicka, building G4, room 111, tel. 17 851 68 66, e-mail: aczerniecka@ur.edu.pl

dr inż. Bożena Czubat, building G4, room 205, tel. 17 851 6813, e-mail: bczubat@ur.edu.pl

dr n. farm. Patrycjusz Kołodziejczyk, building G4, room 211, tel. 17 851 68 89, e-mail: pakolodziejczyk@ur.edu.pl

mgr Natalia Pieńkowska

dr. Karolina Barczak, building G5, room 021, e-mail: kbarczak@ur.edu.pl

 

Secretariat of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology:

mgr Bożena Dubiel

building G5, room 205

tel. 17 851 6813

e-mail: bdubiel@ur.edu.pl

 

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY

The Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology is one of the leading centers in the world for research on cytisine, a natural drug used in the treatment of nicotine addiction. Largely due to this research, cytisine is currently being introduced to markets worldwide as an effective, safe, and affordable medication for smokers.

Innovative research on cytisine at the Department is carried out at various levels: medicinal chemistry, analytical studies, preclinical behavioral studies, and clinical studies. One of the goals of this research, among others, is to develop new forms of the drug. Two new forms of the drug have been developed at the plant: an oral spray and chewing gum. We are conducting research using thermal analysis methods, i.e. Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) adiabatic calorimetry, standard calorimetry (DSC) and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). Analytical studies of biological materials using HPLC-MS/MS and other analytical methods are also conducted. The Department is currently conducting three non-commercial clinical trials of cytisine, two of which were completely designed in-house, and the third, a large international comparative study of cytisine with varenicline, conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, was completed and published in 2021 in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

 

In addition, the Head of the Department participates in research on nicotinism and pharmacological aspects of nicotine addiction in cooperation with numerous international and national research centers. The result of this activity is, among other things, the creation in 2019 of a reference monograph on cytisine by invitation of Addiction, a leader among global journals in the field of addiction, of which he is the first author.

In 2021, Prof. Tutka and his team won the Medical Research Agency's competition for non-commercial clinical trials in the field of psychiatry and neurology and launched a

study: “Cytisine in the treatment of electronic cigarette addiction: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial,” which aims to develop a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of e-cigarette addiction for the first time in the world.

 

Another area of scientific activity of the Department is research in the field of experimental epilepsy (search for new substances with anticonvulsant effects) and interactions of antiepileptic drugs using behavioral and pharmacokinetic methods. The scientific interests of the staff of the Department are also related to research in the field of endocrinology, including the role of aldosterone in pathological conditions of the cardiovascular system.

Currently, the scientific activities of the Department are focused on designing non-commercial clinical trials and innovative therapeutic solutions to the huge problem of smoking and its consequences.

 

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

Pharmacology with Toxicology (Faculty of Medicine and English Division).
Pharmacology (Medical Faculty and English Division).
Clinical Pharmacology (Faculty of Medicine and English Division).
Pharmacology (Nursing)
Pharmacology (Obstetrics)
Pharmacology (Dietetics)
Pharmacology in physiotherapy (Physiotherapy)
Pharmacology (Clinical Research)

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Howard B.C., McRobbie H., Petrie D., Barker D., Mendelsohn C.P., Anderson J., Borland R., Naughton F., Tutka P., Zwar N., Shakeshaft A., Gartner C., Richmond R.L, Hall W., Mattick R.P., Farrell M., Courtney R.J. Effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of vaporised nicotine products versus nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco smoking cessation in a low-socioeconomic status Australian population: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2022;23:777 (IF 2,728)

Wróblewski, K., Szultka-Młyńska, M., Janiszewska, D., Petruczynik, A., Buszewski, B. Development of the Validated Stability-Indicating Method for the Determination of Vortioxetine in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Formulation by HPLC-DAD, Stress Degradation Kinetics Studies and Detection of Degradation Products by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Molecules 2022, 27, 1883 (IF 4,927)

Skotnicki M., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Neilsen G., Woodfield B.F., Pyda M. Application of advanced thermal analysis for characterisation of crystalline and amorphous phases of carvedilol. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. (2022) 114822 (IF 3,571)

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Janowski G., Frącz W., Pyda M. Biocomposites based on the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) matrix with the hemp fibers – thermal and mechanical properties. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 2022;147:1017–1029 (IF 4,755)

Zarzyka I., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Hęclik K., Dobrowolski L., Krzykowska B., Białkowska A., Bakar M. Biobased poly(3-hydroxybutyrate acid) composites with addition of aliphatic polyurethane based on polypropylene glycols. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics. 2022;24:2 (IF 1,238)

Zarzyka I., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Hęclik K., Dobrowolski L., Pyda M., Leś K., Walczak M., Białkowska A., Bakar M. Thermally stable biopolymer composites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) modified with linear aliphatic polyurethanes - preparation and properties, Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics.  2021;23:2 (IF 1,238)

Courtney R.J., Tutka P., Farrell M. Cytisine vs varenicline for smoking cessation – reply. JAMA. 2021;326:1872-1873 (IF 56,272)

Courtney R.J., McRobbie H., Tutka P., Weaver N.A., Petrie D., Shakeshaft A., Talukder S., Macdonald C., Thomas D., Kwan B.C.H., Walker N., Gartner C., Mattick R.P., Paul C., Ferguson S.G., Zwar N.A., Richmond R.L., Doran C.M., Boland V.C., Hall W., West R., Farrell M. A. A non-inferiority trial of 25 days of Cytisine versus 84 days of VarEnicline for Smoking CesSATion – The CESSATE study. JAMA. 2021;326:56-64 (IF 56,272)

Gromotowicz-Popławska A., Szoka P., Zakrzeska A., Kołodziejczyk P., Marcińczyk M., Szmeraj J., Tutka P., Chabielska E. Hyperglycemia potentiates prothrombotic effect of aldosterone in a rat arterial thrombosis model. Cells 2021;10:471-491 (IF 7,666)

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Tutka P., Pyda M., Walczak M., Uram Ł., Misiorek M., Chmiel E., Wołowiec S. Stepwise glucoheptoamidation of poly(Amidoamine) dendrimer G3 to tune physicochemical properties of the potential drug carrier: in vitro tests for cytisine conjugates. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12:473 (IF 6,321)

Czubat B., Minias A., Brzostek A., Żaczek A., Struś K., Zakrzewska-Czerwińska J., Dziadek J. Functional dissociation between the protein domains of MSMEG_4305 of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (Mycobacterium smegmatis) in vivo. Front Microbiol. 2020;11:2008 (IF 5,260)

Petruczynik A., Wróblewski K., Misiurek J., Plech T., Wojtanowski K., Raczek E., Mroczek T., Misiurek D., Waksmundzka-Hajnos M., Tutka P. Determination of cytisine and N-methylcytisine from selected plant extracts by HPLC and comparison of their cytotoxic activity. Toxins. 2020;12:557 (IF 4,546)

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Calvin J.J., Rosen P.F., Woodfield B.F., Janus-Kubiak M., Kubisz L., Zarzyka I., Zielecki W., Skotnicki M., Pyda M.: Vibrational heat capacity of silver carp collagen. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2020;163:833–841 (IF 6,764)

Orzelska-Górka J., Bernat P., Tutka P., Listos J., Kędzierska E., Fidecka S., Talarek S. Modification of NO-cGMP pathway differentially affects diazepam- and flunitrazepam-induced spatial and recognition memory impairments in rodents. Neurotox. Res. 2020; 37: 1036–1046 (IF 3,911)

Petruczynik A., Wróblewski K., Wojtanowski K., Mroczek T., Juchnowicz D., Karakuła-Juchnowicz, H., Tuzimski, T. Comparison of various chromatographic systems for identification of vortioxetine in bulk drug substance, human serum, saliva, and urine samples by HPLC-DAD and LC-QTOF-MS. Molecules 2020;25:2483 (IF 3.267)

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Zielecki W., Frącz W., Janus-Kubiak M., Kubisz L., Pyda M.: Vibrational heat capacity of the linear 6,4-polyurethane, Thermochimica Acta. 2020;683: 178433 (IF 3,040)

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Zarzyka I. Pyda M.: Long-Term physical aging tracked by advanced thermal analysis of poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide): a smart polymer for drug delivery system. Molecules. 2020;25:3810 (IF 3,267)

Wróblewski K., Petruczynik A., Tuzimski T.,  Przygodzka D., Buszewicz G., Kołodziejczyk P., Tutka P. Comparison of various chromatographic systems for analysis of cytisine in human serum, saliva and pharmaceutical formulation by HPLC with diode
array, fluoresceence or mass spectrometry detection. Molecules 2019;24:2580 (IF 3,267)

Tutka P., Vinnikov D., Courtney R.J., Benowitz N.L. Cytisine for nicotine addiction treatment:  A review of pharmacology, therapeutics and an update of clinical trial evidence for smoking cessation. Addiction 2019;114:1951-1969 (IF 6,343)

Thomas D., Farrell M., McRobbie H., Tutka P., Petrie D., West R., Siahpush M., Gartner C., Walker N., Mendelsohn C.P., Hall W., Paul C., Zwar N., Ferguson S.G.,  Boland V.C., Richmond R., Doran C., Shakeshaft A., Mattick R.P., Courtney R.J. Safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine versus varenicline: A study protocol for a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Addiction 2019;114;923-933 (IF 6,343)

Tutka P., Mróz K., Mróz T., Buszewicz G., Aebisher D., Bartusik-Aebisher D., Kołodziejczyk P.,  Łuszczki J.J. Effects of androsterone on the protective action of various antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019;101:27-34 (IF 4,732)

 

Szyszkowska A., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Pyda M., Byczyński Ł., Gancarczyk K., Sedlaric V., Zarzyka I.: Linear polyurethane with imidazoquinazoline rings: preparation and properties, evaluation, Polymer Bulletin. 2019; 76:6343-6370 (IF 2,014)

 

Wróblewski K., Petruczynik A., Tuzimski T., Prajsnar K., Przygodzka D., Buszewicz G., Karakuła–Juchnowicz H., Róg J., Morylowska-Topolska J., Waksmundzka-Hajnos M. Optimization of chromatographic systems for analysis of selected psychotropic drugs and their metabolites in serum and saliva by HPLC in order to monitor therapeutic drugs. Open Chem. 2019; 17:1361–1373 (IF 1,572)

Bober Z., Aebisher D., Tutka P., Bartusik-Aebisher D. Application of MRI to the study of pharmaceuticals. W: The Essential Guide to Magnetic Resonance. Red. D. Bartusik-Aebisher. New York 2018, Nova Science Publishers, 65-93.

Kolodziejczyk P., Gromotowicz-Poplawska A., Aleksiejczuk M., Chabielska E., Tutka P., Miltyk W. New sides of aldosterone action in cardiovascular system as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Curr. Drug Targets 2018;19:1968-1979 (IF 3,112)

Tutka P., Wlaź A., Florek-Łuszczki M., Kołodziejczyk P., Bartusik-Aebisher D., Łuszczki J.J. Arvanil, olvanil, AM 1172 and LY 2183240 (various cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists) increase the threshold for maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Pharmacol. Rep. 2018;70:106-109 (IF 2,761)

Stelmachowska-Banaś M., Zgliczyński W., Tutka P., Carney J.A., Korbonits M. Fatal Carney complex in siblings due to de novo large gene deletion. J. Clin. End. Metab. 2017;102:3294-3297 (IF 5,789)

Tutka P., Kondrat-Wróbel M.W., Zaluska K., Żółkowska D., Florek-Łuszczki M., Łuszczki J.J. Cytisine inhibits the protective activity of various classical and novel antiepileptic drugs against 6 Hz-induced psychomotor seizures in mice. Psychopharmacology 2017;234:281-291 (IF 3,222)

Walker N., Bullen C., Barnes J., McRobbie H., Tutka P., Raw M., Etter J.-F., Siddiqi K., Courtney R., Castaldelli-Maia J.M., Rigotti N., Selby P., Sheridan J., West R. Getting cytisine licensed for use worldwide: a call to action. Addiction 2016;11:1895-1898 (IF 5,789)

Florek-Łuszczki M,. Wlaź A., Kondrat-Wrobel M.W., Tutka P., Łuszczki J.J. Effects of WIN 55,212-2 (a non-selective cannabinoid CB1 and CB 2 receptor agonist) on the protective action of various classical antiepileptic drugs in the mouse 6 Hz psychomotor seizure model. J Neural Transm. 2014;121:707-715 (IF 2,402)

Tutka P., Mróz T., Bednarski J., Styk A., Ognik J., Mosiewicz J., Łuszczki J.J. Cytisine inhibits the anticonvulsant activity of phenytoin and lamotrigine in mice. Pharmacol Rep. 2013;65:195-200 (IF 2,165)

 

SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION

  • National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
  • School of Population Health, National Institute of Health Innovation and Centre for Addiction Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA
  • Center of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic
  • School of Public Health, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Alma Aty, Kazakhstan
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
  • Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
  • Department of Pharmacology with Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Lublin.
  • Department of Drug Formulation Technology, K. Marcinkowski Medical University, Poznań
  • Faculty of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Ignacy Łukasiewicz Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów
  • Department of Organic Chemistry, Ignacy Łukasiewicz Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów
  • Department of Environmental Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń
  • Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń
  • Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Ignacy Łukasiewicz Rzeszów University of Technology, Rzeszów
  • Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
  • Department of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Medical University, Lublin
  • Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University, Lublin
  • Department of Biopharmacy and Radiopharmacy, Medical University, Bialystok
  • Department of Drug Analysis and Bioanalysis, Medical University, Bialystok
  • Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University, Lublin
  • Department of Psychiatry, Medical University, Lublin
  • Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz.
  • Faculty of Pharmacy with a Division of Laboratory Medicine, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
  • Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
  • Medical Center “Medyk”, Rzeszow, Poland
  • Adamed Pharma S.A.

 

SELECTED GRANTS

2022 “Biocompatible nanomaterials on poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) matrix as potential bone implants”, Podkarpackie Innovation Center, European Regional Development Fund, A. Czerniecka-Kubicka (Project Manager)

2021-present “Cytisine in the treatment of electronic cigarette addiction: a randomized placebo-controlled trial”, Medical Research Agency, No. 2021/ABM/02/00007 Tutka P. (Project Manager, Principal Investigator), Bernat P. (Project Coordinator), Czubat B. (Administrative Manager), Wroblewski K. (Research Associate), Kolodziejczyk P. (Research Associate).

2021 “Anti-nicotine chewing gum - a modern drug formulation for the treatment of tobacco addiction”, Podkarpackie Innovation Center, F3_134, 2019, European Regional Development Fund, Tutka P. (Project Manager) Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Wróblewski K., Czubat B., Kołodziejczyk P. (Contractors).

2020-present “Vaporized nicotine products versus nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco smoking cessation among low-socioeconomic status smokers: A randomized controlled trial” National Drugs and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Tutka P. (Contractor, Consultant).

2019 “Cytisine aerosol for oral use - an innovative drug formulation for the treatment of nicotine addiction”, Podkarpackie Innovation Center, F3_134, 2019, European Regional Development Fund, Tutka P. (Project Manager) Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Wróblewski K., Kołodziejczyk P. (Contractors)

2019 “Advanced thermal analysis of cytisine, a substance used in the treatment of nicotine addiction,” National Science Center, MINIATURE 2019/03/X/NZ7/00888, 2019, Czerniecka-Kubicka A. (Project Manager)

2017 “Quantitative determination of cytisine in serum and saliva by HPLC-MS/MS” National Science Center MINIATURE 1, DEC-2017/01/X/ST4/01879, 2018, Wroblewski K. (Project Manager)

2017-2020 “A single-blind, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial to determine the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine compared to varenicline for smoking cessation in Maori and whanau of Maori”. NCT 02957786 The National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland, New Zealand, 2017-2019, Tutka P. (Advisory Committee Member).

 

2017-2020 “A non-inferiority trial of cytisine versus varenicline for smoking cessation”. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2017-2020, Tutka P. (Co-author, Contractor, Consultant).

2014-2000 “Interdisciplinary Center for Preclinical and Clinical Research,” No. RPPK. 01.01.00-18-0001/18, Tutka P. (Member of the Scientific Council), Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Kolodziejczyk P., (Contractors)

 

PATENTS

Patent applications:

Tutka P., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Wróblewski K., Kołodziejczyk P., Czubat B.: Medicinal chewing gum and its application, notification dated 24.02.2022, No. P.440462.

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Maternia-Dudzik K., Bądziul D., Szyszkowska A., Kamizela A., Zarzyka I.: Biocompatible nanomaterials on the matrix of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) and the method of their production, notification dated 30.07.2022, No. P.441885

Tutka P., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Wróblewski K., Kołodziejczyk P., Bieniasz M.: Aerosol composition for oral cavity, notification dated 30.06.2020, No. P.434519, EP21182872

Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Zarzyka I., Szyszkowska A.: Hybrid polymer nanocomposite and the method of its preparation. Application dated 12.11.2019, No. P.431772.

 

AWARDS IN THE LAST YEAR (2022)

Tutka P.: Silver Cross of Merit. President of the Republic of Poland. 2022

Tutka P.: Scientist of the Future 2022 Award in the category “Research of the Future”. Center for Intelligent Development. 2022

Tutka P., Czerniecka-Kubicka A., Kołodziejczyk P., Czubat B., Wróblewski K. Rector's Award Team II degree for scientific achievements and grant activity. Rector of the University of Rzeszow. 2022