The selection of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) in pharmaceutical toxicology.

Prior to controlled clinical trials in human volunteers or patients it is required that novel pharmaceuticals are evaluated for pre-clinical safety in a rodent and a non-rodent ('second') species. In most cases the rodent species used has been the rat and the second species has been the dog or macaque (usually cynomolgus or rhesus) monkey. However, there is an increasing trend within the United Kingdom (UK) pharmaceutical industry to use the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) for pre-clinical toxicology programmes.

Screening procedure for assessment of ototoxicity in the common marmoset.

Detection of drug-induced ototoxicity in safety evaluation studies of novel chemical entities is rarely attempted. Where such examinations are included, they usually rely on reflex testing. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response can be measured with the use of externally positioned electrodes, and it monitors electrophysiologic responses to sound from the cochlear nerve and associated structures of the 8th cranial nerve.

Local myotoxicity of ketamine hydrochloride in the marmoset.

An investigation of raised plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in marmosets after intramuscular ketamine injection suggested a local myotoxicity. This was confirmed by a range of histopathological findings from myofibrillar striation loss to necrosis. In addition to the elevations in AST levels, creatine kinase and the lactate dehydrogenase-5 isoenzyme levels were elevated.

The influence of an experimental liver cirrhosis upon the metabolism of diazepam and imipramine hydrochloride in the rat.

When either diazepam or imipramine hydrochloride was administered orally to rats with thioacetamide-induced hepatic cirrhosis, the biliary and faecal elimination of metabolites was significantly decreased compared with that in normal animals. However, renal excretion of metabolites of diazepam or imipramine was increased in the liver-damaged rats. Experiments in vitro showed that liver homogenates from cirrhotic rats metabolized diazepam or imipramine hydrochloride in qualitatively and quantitatively similar ways to those from normal rats.

Early changes in thioacetamide-induced liver damage.

Plasma amino acids, serum enzymes, liver glutathione and the hepatic lipid peroxidation capacity of the rat were investigated in acute thioacetamide toxicity. These were examined in parallel with the earliest pathological changes shown by electron microscopy. Plasma arginine levels were significantly lowered 3 h after dosing thioacetamide and by 9 h were indistinguishable.