A non-human primate model of radiation-induced cachexia

Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 31:6:23612. doi: 10.1038/srep23612.

Abstract

Cachexia, or muscle wasting, is a serious health threat to victims of radiological accidents or patients receiving radiotherapy. Here, we propose a non-human primate (NHP) radiation-induced cachexia model based on clinical and molecular pathology findings. NHP exposed to potentially lethal partial-body irradiation developed symptoms of cachexia such as body weight loss in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Severe body weight loss as high as 20-25% was observed which was refractory to nutritional intervention. Radiographic imaging indicated that cachectic NHP lost as much as 50% of skeletal muscle. Histological analysis of muscle tissues showed abnormalities such as presence of central nuclei, inflammation, fatty replacement of skeletal muscle, and muscle fiber degeneration. Biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin and albumin levels decreased after radiation exposure. Levels of FBXO32 (Atrogin-1), ActRIIB and myostatin were significantly changed in the irradiated cachectic NHP compared to the non-irradiated NHP. Our data suggest NHP that have been exposed to high dose radiation manifest cachexia-like symptoms in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This model provides a unique opportunity to study the mechanism of radiation-induced cachexia and will aid in efficacy studies of mitigators of this disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Activin Receptors, Type II / genetics
  • Activin Receptors, Type II / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cachexia / etiology
  • Cachexia / genetics
  • Cachexia / pathology
  • Cachexia / veterinary*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Gamma Rays / adverse effects*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hemoglobins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / radiation effects*
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Muscular Atrophy / genetics
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / veterinary*
  • Myostatin / genetics
  • Myostatin / metabolism
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / genetics
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Weight Loss / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Myostatin
  • Serum Albumin
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases
  • Activin Receptors, Type II