PECULIARITIES OF BLOOD AGING IN MACACA FASCICULARIS

Abstract

Introduction. The study of hematopoietic system aging in non-anthropoid primates such as the Сynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) provides a unique opportunity to understand the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of human aging and to study the age-related dynamics of the main cellular and biochemical parameters of the blood. This data are useful for evaluating the results of preclinical studies on animals of different age groups. Aging of the immune system is accompanied by impaired cellular function and changes in the representation of populations in the circulating blood. Despite the similarity of quantitative indices, the age-related dynamics of blood cells in humans and the Сynomolgus macaque differ.

The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of age-related changes in the cellular composition of blood and biochemical parameters of cynomolgus macaques and human donors blood.

Material and methods. This study included groups of animals aged 4-9 years, as well as a unique group of old individuals aged 18-27 years. In addition, blood samples obtained from volunteer donors of different age groups (20-30, 31-56 and 57-85 years) were analyzed.  Absolute blood cell counts in donors and macaques were analyzed, biochemical blood analysis was performed in macaques of different age groups, and a comparative analysis of blood aging in humans and macaques was conducted.

 Result and conclusions. In this study, macaques showed a decrease in platelet count with age, indicating a decrease in the production of megakaryocytes and their precursors in the bone marrow. Aging in Сynomolgus macaques was also accompanied by a significant increase in triglyceride and globulin levels in the blood, as well as a trend toward a decrease in albumin levels, which decreased the total albumin to globulin ratio. This indicator in humans is associated with overall health and its decrease is observed with age. In males and females, there is also a trend toward an increase in glucose, bilirubin, cholesterol, and inflammatory enzymes with age. Creatinine levels were significantly higher in males regardless of age and exceeded this indicator in females.