Acute effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression

Objective: The incidence rate of major depression in adolescents reaches approximately 14%. This disorder is usually recurrent, without remission of symptoms even after pharmacological treatment, and persists throughout adult life. Since the effects of antidepressants take approximately 2 weeks to begin, new pharmacological therapies are under continuous exploration. Recent evidence suggests that psychedelics could produce rapid antidepressant effects. In this study, we evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of ayahuasca in a juvenile non-human primate model of depression. Methods: While living with their families, juvenile marmosets (8 males; 7 females) were observed on alternate days for four weeks during a baseline phase. This was followed by 8 weeks of an induced depressive state protocol, the social isolated context (IC), in which the animals were monitored in the first and last weeks. Subsequently, five males and four females were randomly selected for treatment, first with a single administration of saline vehicle (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage), followed by a single dose of ayahuasca (1.67 mL/300 g of body weight, via gavage). Both phases lasted 1 week and the animals were monitored daily. A third week of sampling was called the tardive-pharmacological effects phase. In all phases the marmosets were assessed for behavior, fecal cortisol levels, and body weight. Results: After IC, the animals presented typical hypocortisolemia, but cortisol recovered to baseline levels 24 h after an acute dose of ayahuasca; this recovery was not observed in vehicle-treated animals. Additionally, in males, ayahuasca, but not the vehicle, reduced scratching, a stereotypic behavior, and increased feeding. Ayahuasca treatment also improved body weight to baseline levels in both sexes. The ayahuasca-induced behavioral response had long-term effects (14 days). Thus, in this translational juvenile animal model of depression, ayahuasca presented beneficial effects. Conclusions: These results can contribute to the validation of ayahuasca as an antidepressant drug and encourage new studies on psychedelic drugs as a tool for treating mood disorders, including for adolescents with early-onset depression.

Lobation and bronchopulmonary segmentation of Callithrix jacchus (Linnaeus, 1758) / Lobação e segmentação broncopulmonar de Callithrix jacchus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) are small primates belonging to the family Cebidae, subfamily Callitrichinae and are the most well-known and common in adaptation to captivity. The scarcity of data in the literature on the anatomy of these marmosets and wild animals hinders the application of appropriate anesthetic and surgical procedures and therapeutics. In order to understand the anatomic variations in the lobation and bronchopulmonary segmentation the lungs were dissected from nine adult common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) corpses, five males and four females. In the marmosets, the right lung presented cranial lobe, middle lobe, caudal lobe and accessory lobe while the left lung presented cranial and caudal lobes. The fissures were very pro-eminent in both the lungs. The main right bronchus emitted independent branches, one for each lobe, and it followed in a straight line in the caudal lobe as a continuation of this bronchus and the same was observed in the main left bronchus. The bronchopulmonary segmentation in the right lung ranged from one to five branches in the cranial lobe; the middle lobe had a single branch; the caudal lobe had three to five branches and the accessory lobe had three branches. In the left lung the cranial lobe bronchopulmonary segmentation ranged from one to five branches while in the caudal lobe it was three to four branches.

Resumo: Os saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) são pequenos primatas que pertencem à família Cebidae, subfamília Callitrichinae e são os mais conhecidos e comuns na adaptação ao cativeiro. A escassez de dados disponíveis na literatura sobre a anatomia desses saguis e de animais silvestres dificulta a aplicação de procedimentos anestésicos, cirúrgicos e terapêuticos apropriados. Visando conhecer as variações anatômicas da lobação e segmentação broncopulmonar foram dissecados os pulmões de nove cadáveres de saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) adultos, sendo cinco machos e quatro fêmeas. Nos saguis, o pulmão direito apresentou lobo cranial; lobo médio; lobo caudal e lobo acessório; e o pulmão esquerdo os lobos cranial e caudal. As fissuras são bem proeminentes em ambos os pulmões. O brônquio principal direito emitiu ramos independentes, um para cada lobo, sendo que no lobo caudal seguiu em linha reta como a continuação deste brônquio e o mesmo foi observado no brônquio principal esquerdo. Em relação à segmentação broncopulmonar, o pulmão direito apresentou no lobo cranial variando de um a cinco ramos; lobo médio com um único ramo; o lobo caudal com três a cinco ramos e o acessório com três ramos. No pulmão esquerdo o lobo cranial teve uma variação de um a cinco e no caudal foi de três a quatro ramos.

Origem dos nervos do plexo braquial de sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758) / Origin of brachial plexus nerves for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758)

O sagui-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) é um pequeno primata que habita florestas arbustivas da Caatinga e a Mata Atlântica do Nordeste brasileiro. Essa espécie de sagui é muito comum e de fácil adaptação ao cativeiro, aspecto que estimula a captura clandestina desses animais, os quais são vítimas de maus tratos que causam lesões. A falta de conhecimento da anatomia de saguis e outros animais silvestres dificulta a aplicação segura de procedimentos clínicos, cirúrgicos e terapêuticos. O plexo braquial tem sido descrito em algumas espécies animais, porém até o momento não existia descrição em saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus). Para estudar o plexo branquial desses animais foram dissecados dez cadáveres de saguis-de-tufos-brancos (Callithrix jacchus) adultos sendo cinco machos e cinco fêmeas. Em todos os animais o plexo braquial originou- se dos nervos espinhais C5, C6, C7, C8 e T1, com poucas variações na origem e nas contribuições dos nervos, em ambos os antímeros, formando três troncos: cranial (C5 e C6), médio (C7) e caudal (C8 e T1).(AU)

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a small primate that inhabits shrub forests of the Caatinga and the Atlantic Forest in Brazilian Northeast. This species of marmoset is very common and easy to adaptation in captivity, aspect that encourages illegal capture of these animals that are victims of mistreatments, causing injuries. The lack of knowledge in anatomy in marmosets and other wildlife hinders the safe application of clinical, surgical and therapeutic procedures. The brachial plexus has been described in some species of animals, but so far, there is no description for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). To study the brachial plexus of these animals were dissected ten corpses of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) adults, being five males and five females. In all animals, the brachial plexus was originated from spinal nerves C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1, with few variations in origin and the contributions of the nerves in both antimeres, forming three trunks: the cranial (C5 and C6), medium (C7) and caudal (C8 and T1).(AU)

Reporting social behaviours of mixed-species troops formed by Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata (Primate, Callitrichidae) / Comportamento social em grupos mistos de Callithrix jacchus e Callithrix penicillata (Primate, Callitrichidae)

In New World primates, mixed-species troops have been reported. Here, we analysed the performance of affiliative and agonistic behaviours of Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata living in mixed groups. For this purpose, we recorded the interaction of the individuals from two groups located in Bauru city, in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). Our data show that in both groups, affiliative behaviours appeared more frequently than agonistic ones. We concluded that there is cohesion inside the mixed-species troops observed. We suggest that a deeper knowledge about the social behaviour of mixed-species troop species certainly may be useful in projects linked with the management of the impact caused by them.

Grupos mistos em espécies de primatas do Novo Mundo têm sido relatados. Aqui, nós avaliamos a emissão de comportamentos afiliativos e agonísticos em grupos mistos formados por Callithrix jacchus e Callithrix penicillata. Para tanto, registramos a interação de dois grupos, localizados no município de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Nossos dados mostram que nos dois grupos a emissão de comportamentos afiliativos foi maior do que a de comportamentos agonísticos, indicando que há coesão dentro dos grupos mistos estudados. Sugerimos que um conhecimento mais elaborado sobre o comportamento social de grupos mistos pode ser útil em projetos de impactos causados por espécies invasoras.

Risco de transmissão do vírus da raiva oriundo de sagui (Callithrix jacchus), domiciliado e semidomiciliado, para o homem na região metropolitana de Fortaleza, estado do Ceará / Risks of transmitting rabies virus from captive domiciliary common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to human beings, in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: Uma variante do vírus da raivafoi identificadaem associação a casos de raiva humanos, no Estado do Ceará, transmitidos por saguis (Callithrix jacchus), primatas frequentemente criados como animais de estimação. Essa variante não apresenta proximidade antigênica ou relação genética com as variantes do vírus encontradas em morcegos e mamíferos terrestres das Américas. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os fatores de risco de transmissão do vírus da raiva oriundo de sagui (C. jacchus), criado como animal de estimação, para o homem na região metropolitana de Fortaleza, Ceará. MÉTODOS: Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado aos criadores de saguis, residentes nos municípios de Aquiraz e Maranguape, Ceará, enfocando o manejo e a interação desses primatas com humanos. Para avaliação da ocorrência de antígenos rábicos, através do teste de imunofluorescência direta (IFD), foram coletadas amostras de saliva dos saguis domiciliados e semidomiciliados. Com base nos resultados obtidos desses espécimes, foram analisadas amostras de sistema nervoso central (SNC). RESULTADOS: Na análise dos questionários, observou-se a proximidade dos criadores de saguis durante o manejo desses animais nos domicílios, bem como, seus conhecimentos limitados sobre a raiva, demonstrando haver risco quanto à transmissão do vírus. De 29 amostras de saliva de saguis reavaliadas, uma (3,4 por cento) apresentou reação de IFD positiva. De 11 amostras de SNC, três (27,3 por cento) apresentaram positividade. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados laboratoriais estão de acordo com os achados dos questionários, confirmando haver risco da transmissão do vírus da raiva devido à convivência de humanos com saguis (C. jacchus).

INTRODUCTION: In the State of Ceará, a new variant of the rabies virus was identified associated with cases of human rabies transmitted by common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), which are frequently kept as pets. This new variant does not present antigenic proximity or genetic relationship to variants of the virus isolated from bats and terrestrial mammals from the American continent. The present study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of rabies virus transmission from common marmosets (C. jacchus) maintained as pets in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, to human beings. METHODS: A questionnaire focusing on animal management and interaction between humans and primates was applied to individuals who had marmosets in the municipalities of Aquiraz and Maranguape. In order to evaluate the presence of rabies antigens by direct immunofluorescence test (DIF), samples of saliva were collected from domiciliary captive marmosets. Based on the detection of rabies antigens, biopsy samples of central nervous system (CNS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of questionnaire data verified that a close relation exists between humans and their pet marmosets, especially during management practices. Additionally, these people showed minimal knowledge regarding rabies, which represents a greater risk of infection. Of the 29 saliva samples evaluated, one (3.4 percent) was positive for DIF reaction and of the 11 CNS samples, three (27.3 percent) were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory data are in agreement with the questionnaire findings, which confirm an increased risk of rabies virus transmission due to the close relation between humans and marmosets.

Immunolocalization of Aquaporin Water Channels in the Kidney of the Common Marmoset Monkey (Callithrix jacchus) / 대한해부학회지

Aquaporin (AQP) is a water channel protein that is of critical importance in the urinary concentrating process and the regulation of water balance in the kidney, and at least seven AQPs are expressed at distinct sites in the kidney. The common marmoset monkey is widely used as an experimental animal included in the primate order in the filed of renal system. However, nothing is known about the expression AQP in the common marmoset monkey kidney. The purpose of this study was to establish the distribution of AQP-1, AQP-2, AQP-3 and AQP-4 in the common marmoset monkey kidney. We used three male common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) ranging in age from 2 to 3 years. AQP-1 was expressed in segments 1, 2 and 3 of the proximal tubule, particularly abundant in segment 1, and also observed in the descending thin limb of the medulla. AQP-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the apical plasma membrane of principal cells in the cortical and medullary collecting ducts. AQP-3 immunostaining was intense in the basolateral plasma membrane of connecting tubules as well as in the cortical and outer medullary collecting ducts. AQP-4 was expressed mainly in the cytoplasm of inner medullary collecting duct cells. These data suggest that AQPs of the common marmoset monkey kidney may play a similar role in urinary concentrating processes and the regulation of water balance to that of AQPs in rats, mice and humans.