Elucidation of the Determinant Factors Affecting Camels’ Health in Some Regions of Saudi Arabia: A Biochemical, Histological, and Toxicological Study

Abstract

Recent reports announced by the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture indicate the death of more than 3,000 camels, cows and goats in different parts of the Kingdom over the past months. Laboratories examinations both inside and outside Saudi Arabia suggested that the samples contained poisonous and toxic materials to camels which may affect the physiological processes that may render animals vulnerable to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. So, we aimed to investigate blood and plasma chemistry including analysis of oxidants and antioxidants parameters as well as heavy metal determination in blood and tissue samples from diseased animals and compare it to normal animals to elucidate the possible cause(s) of the intoxication. Although we could not obtain any samples from diseased animals, results showed that there were non significant changes in biochemical, heavy metals and blood picture in specimens from the normal animals from Jeddah and Taif areas. However, there was a significant elevation in the level of malondialdhyde (lipid peroxidation marker) in brain, liver and serum associated with a significant decrease in total antioxidant activity in specimens from Jeddah area. This imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants as a marker of abnormal changes may lead to disturbances in some physiological processes in the brain and the liver that could render these animals susceptible to infectious diseases and ultimately to death if not treated.

Estimation of Some Heavy Metals Residues in Blood Serum and Tissues of Camels

“…and this is lower than that recorded bySharkawy et al (2002) as 0.15ppm. Also, higher results (3.73 ppm) recorded byJalal et al (2010) in camel serum from Saudia Arabia. (Table, 3).…”

“…Reducing these heavy metals from the body has been a challenge to modern day medicine. Metal-mediated formation of free radicals causes various modifications to DNA bases, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and altered calcium and sulfhydryl homeostasis, McDonagh and Sheehan (2008) and Jalal et al (2010). Lipid peroxides, formed by the attack of radicals on polyunsaturated fatty acid residues of phospholipids, can further react with redox metals finally producing mutagenic and carcinogenic malondialdehy 4hydroxynonenal and other exocyclic DNA adducts (etheno and/or propanoadducts), Bartsch and Nair (2002).…”

“…The mean value of Cadmium level in serum of camel (0.007μg/ml) is lower than results obtained bySharkawy et al (2002) who detected 0.15 ppm of Cd residue in camel serum from Egypt. Also,Jalal et al (2010) recorded high levels of Cd (0.91 ppm) in camel serum from Saudia Arabia. (Table, 3).…”

Evaluation of Anti-Oxidant Status and Radioprotective Activity of a Novel Anti-Cancer Drug in Mice

“…A major defence mechanism involves the antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) which convert active oxygen molecules into non-toxic compounds. The liver has the highest contents of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes indicating that it plays an important role in pro-oxidants detoxification [6]. Wide spread use of radiation in diagnosis and therapy has necessitated development of a radioprotector to safeguard against human exposures.…”