Changes of inflammation-associated cytokine expressions during early phase of experimental endotoxic shock in macaques

AIM: To study changes of inflammation-associated cytokine expressions during early phase of endotoxic shock in macague. METHODS: Experiments were performed in Macaque mulatta treated with LPS 2.8 mg/kg in shock model group or with normal saline in control group. Blood samples were collected before, or 60 min, or 120 min after LPS injection, respectively. Liver and spleen tissues were obtained at 120 min after LPS injection. The plasma levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β, IL-10 and IL-12P40 were determined by double-antibody sandwich ELISA with antibodies against human cytokines. The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1 β, and IL-18 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), liver and spleen were examined by real-time fluorescence semi-quantitative RT-PCR with the primers based on human genes. RESULTS: Mean systemic arterial pressure (MAP), systemicvascular resistance index (SVRI) and left ventricular work index (LVWI) of macaques were significant declined in shock model group on average 60 min after LPS injection. The plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased 60 min after LPS injection and then decreased. The plasma levels of IL-1 β and IL-12P40 were significantly increased at 120 min after LPS injection. The mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1 β were significantly increased 60 min after LPS stimulation in PBMCs and 120 min after LPS stimulation in livers. The mRNA level of IL-18 was significantly increased 120 rain after LPS stimulation in PBMCs and livers. But in spleen, only TNF-α mRNA level in LPS group was significantly higher 120 min after LPS stimulation, compared with that in control group. CONCLUSION: An endotoxic shock model of Macaque mulatta was successfully established. Both antibodies for ELISA and PCR primers based on human cytokine assays were successfully applied to detect macaque cytokines. In the model, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1 β,IL-12 and IL-18 as well as anti-inflammation cytokine IL-10, were released at very early phase of endotoxic shock within 120 min after LPS injection. PBMCs and liver cells might be the important sources of these cytokines.

Influence of Early Pregnancy Termination by Focused Ultrasound Beams on Menstrual Recovery of Macaques

Objective To explore the effects on macaques’ menstrual recovery after terminating early pregnancy by focused ultrasound beams (FUB) Methods FUB was used to terminate early pregnancy in 5 macaques with gestation duration ranging from 37-66 d. Two circles after the recovery of menstruation, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to estimate the shape, size and blood flow of uterus, and pathological examinations were performed to check against any lesions to uterine endometrium and ovary. Results Forty days after FUB abortion, menstruation recovered and the volume and duration of each macaque’s menstruation were not changed compared with those be- fore gestation. CDFI and MRI suggested that the size and shape of uterus were normal. The endometrial line was clear and no lesions were found in adjacent organs. Conclusion FUB termination of early pregnancy in macaques did not damage their ovarian tissue and had no influence on subsequent menstrual recovery.Key words: focused ultrasound beams (FUB); macaque; early pregnancy; menstrual recovery