Cheung Kenneth M C, Wang Ting, Poon Angela M S, Carl Allen, Tranmer Bruce, Hu YouGu, Luk Keith D K, Leong John C Y
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Sep 15;30(18):2009-13. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000179087.38730.5d.
Prospective study on pinealectomy in primates.
To evaluate whether pinealectomy in a bipedal nonhuman primate model will result in the development of scoliosis.
Pinealectomy in newborn chickens consistently resulted in scoliosis development. Published data suggest that the surgical removal of the pineal, loss of melatonin secretion, and a bipedal posture are important elements in the development of scoliosis in lower animal models.
There were 18 rhesus monkeys between 8 and 11 months old that underwent pineal excision. All monkeys were kept in a regulated 12-hour light-dark cycle. Monthly radiographs assessed scoliosis development. Completeness of pineal excision was assessed by measurement of a major metabolite of melatonin in the urine, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assessed.
Mean follow-up was 28 months (range 10-41). Seven monkeys died prematurely, and 11 survived to date; the data from those that died could still be used, although follow-up was shortened. At the latest follow-up or death, scoliosis did not develop in any of the monkeys. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin measurements revealed 3 patterns. Group 1 consisted of 10 monkeys, which showed definite evidence of complete pineal excision. Group 2 consisted of an uncertain group of 2 monkeys in which the nighttime melatonin level is slightly high. Group 3 consisted of 6 monkeys that had incomplete pineal excision or ectopic melatonin production.
To our knowledge, this is the first report of pinealectomy in nonhuman primates. Of the 18 monkeys, 10 had a loss of melatonin secretion, for a mean of 29 months after surgery. Because none of the monkeys had scoliosis develop, this study strongly suggests that the possible etiologic factors producing idiopathic scoliosis in lower animals are different from primates, and findings in lower animals cannot necessarily be extrapolated to human beings.
灵长类动物松果体切除的前瞻性研究。
评估在双足非人类灵长类动物模型中进行松果体切除是否会导致脊柱侧凸的发生。
新生鸡的松果体切除始终会导致脊柱侧凸的发展。已发表的数据表明，在低等动物模型中，松果体的手术切除、褪黑素分泌的丧失以及双足姿势是脊柱侧凸发展的重要因素。
18只8至11个月大的恒河猴接受了松果体切除。所有猴子都饲养在规律的12小时明暗循环中。每月进行X线片检查以评估脊柱侧凸的发展。通过使用酶联免疫吸附测定法测量尿液中褪黑素的主要代谢产物6-硫酸氧褪黑素，评估松果体切除的完整性。
平均随访28个月（范围10 - 41个月）。7只猴子过早死亡，11只存活至今；尽管随访缩短，但死亡猴子的数据仍可使用。在最近一次随访或死亡时，所有猴子均未发生脊柱侧凸。尿液6-硫酸氧褪黑素测量显示出3种模式。第1组由10只猴子组成，显示出松果体完全切除的确切证据。第2组由2只猴子组成，情况不确定，其夜间褪黑素水平略高。第3组由6只松果体切除不完全或有异位褪黑素产生的猴子组成。
据我们所知，这是关于非人类灵长类动物松果体切除的首次报告。18只猴子中，10只在术后平均29个月出现褪黑素分泌丧失。由于没有猴子发生脊柱侧凸，本研究强烈表明，在低等动物中产生特发性脊柱侧凸的可能病因与灵长类动物不同，低等动物的研究结果不一定能外推至人类。
