Modeling of alimentary dyslipidemia in nonhuman primates: a model in macaca fascicularis

Abstract

Introduction Nonhuman primates serve as laboratory analogs of humans, making them valuable models for studying pathological processes. The modeling of lipid metabolism disorders in monkeys is a relevant research direction due to the significant similarity in pathophysiological and pathomorphological changes between humans and primates. Objective Development and characterization of a dyslipidemia model in Javan macaques induced by a diet without added cholesterol. Methods Monkeys in the experimental group were transitioned to a high-calorie diet and maintained on it for three months. The dynamics of changes in blood lipid profile and glucose levels were analyzed. Data are presented as medians and quartiles. The comparison of two independent groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. For comparisons among three or more related groups, the nonparametric Friedman test was applied, followed by post hoc comparisons using the Conover-Iman criterion with Hill’s correction. Results Over the three-month experimental period, the study group exhibited a sustained twofold increase in total cholesterol to 9.3 mmol/L (p=0.025) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to 5.67 mmol/L (p=0.020). Javan macaques demonstrated resistance to elevated triglyceride levels. Glucose levels did not establish a consistent trend, reflecting susceptibility to stress-related fluctuations. Conclusion A model of diet-induced dyslipidemia in Javan macaques using a high-calorie diet without added cholesterol demonstrates hypercholesterolemia, characterized by increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, without a concurrent rise in triglyceride or glucose levels.