The effect of hyperglycinemic treatment in captive-bred Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a neuro-metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the glycine cleavage system (GCS) and glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1). A case of atypical late onset of NKH has been reported in a colony of captive-bred Vervet monkeys. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium benzoate and dextromethorphan in reducing glycine levels in hyperglycinemic monkeys. Twelve captive-bred Vervet monkeys were assigned into three groups consisting of four animals (control, valproate induced and cataract with spontaneous hyperglycinemia). Valproate was used to elevate glycine levels and the induced group was then treated with sodium benzoate and dextromethorphan together with group three to normalise glycine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. Valproate induction elicited changes in phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and platelet count, however, no significant changes in the glycine levels were observed, and this might be due to the individual variability within the group. The treatment intervention was only obtained in the spontaneous group whereby the glycine levels were normalised in CSF and plasma. Therefore, it can be concluded that sodium benzoate and dextromethorphan treatment was effective and beneficial to the hyperglycinemic group.