The profile of lipid metabolites in urine of marmoset wasting syndrome

Aristolochic acid induces an inflammatory response with prostaglandin E2 production and apoptosis in NRK-52E proximal tubular cells

Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a type of drug-induced nephropathy in which ingestion of aristolochic acid (AA) causes acute kidney injury, with progressive renal fibrosis and upper urothelial carcinoma. Although the pathological features of AAN have been reported to involve significant cell degeneration and loss in the proximal tubules, the details of the toxic mechanism in the acute phase of the disease remain unclear. This study investigates the cell death pathway and intracellular metabolic kinetics of AA exposure in rat NRK-52E proximal tubular cells. AA exposure induces dose- and time-dependent apoptotic cell death in NRK-52E cells. We examined the inflammatory response to further investigate the mechanism of AA-induced toxicity. AA exposure increased the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, suggesting that AA exposure induces inflammation. Furthermore, analysis of lipid mediators by LC-MS revealed increases in intra- and extra-cellular arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). To investigate the relationship between the AA-induced increase in PGE2 production and cell death, celecoxib, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is involved in the production of PGE2, was administered, and a marked inhibition of AA-induced cell death was observed. These results suggest that exposure to AA induces concentration- and time-dependent apoptosis in NRK-52E cells, which is attributed to inflammatory responses mediated by COX-2 and PGE2.

The Common Marmoset-Biomedical Research Animal Model Applications and Common Spontaneous Diseases

Marmosets are becoming more utilized in biomedical research due to multiple advantages including (1) a nonhuman primate of a smaller size with less cost for housing, (2) physiologic similarities to humans, (3) translatable hepatic metabolism, (4) higher numbers of litters per year, (5) genome is sequenced, molecular reagents are available, (6) immunologically similar to humans, (7) transgenic marmosets with germline transmission have been produced, and (8) are naturally occurring hematopoietic chimeras. With more use of marmosets, disease surveillance over a wide range of ages of marmosets has been performed. This has led to a better understanding of the disease management of spontaneous diseases that can occur in colonies. Knowledge of clinical signs and histologic lesions can assist in maximizing the colony's health, allowing for improved outcomes in translational studies within biomedical research. Here, we describe some basic husbandry, biology, common spontaneous diseases, and animal model applications for the common marmoset in biomedical research.

8-iso-prostaglandin E2 induces nasal obstruction via thromboxane receptor in murine model of allergic rhinitis

Thromboxane receptor (TP) mediates nasal obstruction, a typical symptom of allergic rhinitis. Since it has been reported that several types of eicosanoids, such as non-enzymatic oxidation product of arachidonic acid isoprostane, act as a TP ligand, there is a possibility that some other eicosanoids contribute to the TP-mediated nasal obstruction. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of TP-mediated nasal obstruction. Intranasal challenges of ovalbumin (OVA) induced nasal obstruction in mice. Pharmacological blockade of TP receptor but not thromboxane A₂ synthase inhibited OVA-induced nasal obstruction. Simultaneous analysis of eicosanoids in nasal lavage fluid and the responses in trans-endothelial resistance suggested that 8-iso-prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂ ) can be a candidate for TP ligand. Intranasal challenge of 8-iso-PGE₂ induced vascular hyperpermeability and nasal obstruction in TP receptor-dependent manner. Wholemount immunostaining of nasal septum mucosa revealed that 8-iso-PGE₂ increased plasma leakage accompanied by distention of venous sinusoids. This study shows that 8-iso-PGE₂ is a contributor in TP-mediated nasal obstruction in mice.

Marmoset Metabolism, Nutrition, and Obesity

The use of marmosets as nonhuman primate models of human disease has undergone rapid expansion in the United States in the last decade, with an emphasis in the field of neuroscience. With this expanding need, there has been an increase in the formation of small marmoset colonies. The standardization in care and husbandry techniques for marmosets has historically lagged behind other established nonhuman primate models, resulting in a great deal of variation in practices between colonies. There remains a lack of consensus and evidence-based recommendations regarding best standards for nutrition, enrichment, weight management, and diagnostics for clinical metabolic disease. Marmoset base diets vary broadly in their nutritional value, and therefore the physiological responses to these diets also vary broadly. In this review, we briefly outline what is known about nutrition for captive marmosets and highlight what is known regarding metabolic dysfunction and obesity.