Effects of Combined Treatment with Compounds Affecting Mitochondria on Physiological Parameters in Old Monkey.

Correction of mitochondrial function is a promising direction for modulating aging processes. The effect of NAD+ (in the form of its precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide, NMN) and antioxidant MitoQ specifically affecting mitochondria was studied on male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The first group of animals initially received only NMN, the second group received only MitoQ, and then both groups received both drugs simultaneously. The above treatment did not lead to changes in the body weight and body temperature, hemostasis, and ECG. The use of MitoQ, but not NMN improved some hematological and biochemical parameters, shifting them to the values of young animals. Changes in these parameters depended on animal age, so the use of MitoQ can only be effective until a certain age. Combined use of the two drugs had no clear advantages over MitoQ alone.

Spontaneous infection of lower primates with hepatitis C virus.

We present serological and virological evidence of spontaneous infection in Old World lower monkeys with human hepatitis C virus or, maybe, antigenically related but genetically different simian virus strain. These data is of both theoretical and practical importance and can serve as the basis for further development of experimental model of hepatitis C on lower monkeys.