title: Diet-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in primates.
abstract: Ten adult, female cynomolgus macaques were randomly assigned to two equal groups: (1) semipurified diet (SPD); and (2) SPD with 45% ground alfalfa seed (AS). Both groups were studied at monthly intervals after 5 mo on their respective diets. Control animals had a mean hematocrit (Hct) of 43 +/- 2%, negative antiglobulin (AG), antinuclear antibody (ANA) and LE cell tests. Mean values for C3 and C4 were 309 +/- 47 mg/dl and 35 +/- 7 mg/dl, respectively. Mean serum binding to radiolabeled double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) was 1.9 +/- 0.2%. Three of five animals fed AS developed signs of an SLE-like illness characterized by AG-positive anemia (lowest Hct 30%), positive ANA (highest titer greater than 1:15, 360; rim pattern) and elevated anti-dsDNA binding (highest 96%) with variable degrees of hypocomplementemia. One animal had granular deposition of immunoglobulin and complement at the dermal-epidermal junction of clinically normal skin the presence of immune complex-induced glomerulonephritis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D003298:Coombs Test; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D000455:Medicago sativa; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009504:Neutrophils
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004247:DNA