ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: SA-PO839

Evaluation, Classification, and Identification of CKD Progression in Rhesus Macaques

Session Information

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

  • 2101 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

  • Yang, Zunyuan, Sichuan Primed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Chengdu, SiChuan, China
  • Liang, Yinan, Sichuan Primed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Chengdu, SiChuan, China
  • Gong, Li, Sichuan Primed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Chengdu, SiChuan, China
  • Zeng, Wen, Sichuan Primed Shines Bio-tech Co., Ltd., Chengdu, SiChuan, China
  • Hansen, Barbara, Dept Int Med, Univ of So Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States
Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive reduction in kidney function, and with accelerated cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. The goal of the present study was to characterize naturally occurring CKD in rhesus monkeys in comparison to the CKD of humans, to explore the relationship between CKD and CVD, and to evaluate the response of rhesus monkeys with combined CKD-CVD to the angiotensin receptor blocker, Valsartan.

Methods

Plasma biomarkers (Creatinine (Cr), Cystatin-C (CYSC), and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)) were measured in 1198 adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta, 7-22 yrs). Four hr urine collections were obtained from 100 of these monkeys in order to measure urine albumin and urine creatinine for calculation of the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Monkeys with eGFR (CKD-EPI) 30-59 ml/min/1.73m2 and/or UACR≥10mg/g were defined as having CKD (Grade G3a-3b). Blood pressure and cardiac function were measured, monkeys with LVEF<50%, e'<8 cm/s and E/e'>10 were defined as having CVD. A colony of 37 adult male monkeys received medical examinations and direct GFR measurements (Iohexol clearance). Eight monkeys with combined CKD-CVD were enrolled in the validation study and divided into the Valsartan group (n=4)(3 mg/kg, Bid) and the vehicle group (n=4). Cardiac function, blood pressure and UACR were measured before and after 8 weeks treatment. Cr, CYSC, BUN and eGFR were measured every 2 weeks.

Results

Among the 1198 adult rhesus monkeys studied, 52 monkeys (4.3%) had eGFR 30-59 ml/min/1.73m2 and/or UACR≥10mg/g. Among the 52 monkeys with CKD, 30 monkeys had confirmed CVD. With Valsartan treatment, average eGFR increased by 23.31%; average UACR decreased by 76.45%; and average SBP decreased by 14.40%. All of these biomarkers differed significantly compared to the vehicle group (p’s<0.05). The cardiac ultrasound parameters remained stable.

Conclusion

The 4.3% incidence of CKD in adult rhesus monkeys was similar to that in adult humans, and 58% of those with CKD also had CVD as in patients. Valsartan increased eGFR, and also decreased UACR and BP in monkeys. The extent of change in rhesus monkeys was similar to that observed in clinical trials. These monkey models, therefore, provide important new opportunities to understand the pathogenesis of CKD and predict the human response to new therapeutic agents.