Camel Liver Research Articles

Liver abscesses in dromedary camels: Pathological characteristics and aerobic bacterial aetiology

The study was carried out at Nyala abattoirs, South Darfur State, Sudan during a period from 2009 to 2011. Slaughtered camels (822) were examined for pathological changes of liver abscesses and identification of the involved aerobic bacteria. Grossly, a total of 111 (13.5%) liver abscesses were recorded in different camel ages; 90 (81.1%) were less than seven years old and 21 (18.9%) were more than seven years old. Histopathology of sectioned tissues revealed necrotic abscesses with infiltration of inflammatory cells, hydropic degeneration with swelling of hepatocytes comprising the sinusoid and different size of vacuoles in the hepatic cells. Proliferation of bile ducts with fibrous tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells was also recorded. Investigation of bacteria revealed 90 aerobic isolates; they were identified to 52 (57.8%) gram positive cocci, 20 (22.2%) gram positive rods and 18 (20.0%) gram negative rods. Staphylococcus spp. (41.1%), Corynebacterium spp. (17.9%) and Streptococcus spp. (13.3%) were the most frequently identified bacteria involved in liver abscesses of camels in the region. Further studies are required to assess the pathogenicity of bacterial isolates from camel livers. This is particularly important from a public health perspective, since some people of Sudan are known to consume raw camel liver.

Effect of enrofloxacin on hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidases in camel

Administration of enrofloxacin at a dose of 5 mg/kg intramuscularly for 3 days has resulted in a significant decrease in aminopyrine-N-demathylase and aniline-4-hydroxylase in liver of camel compared to saline treated (controls). It is suggested that co-administration of drugs metabolised by phase-I reaction with enrofloxacin should be avoided in camels.

In-Vitro Inhibition of Camel Hepatic Glutathione Transferase by Quercetin

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are a group of multifunctional ubiquitous enzymes widely present in animals and plants, which catalysis the conjugation of glutathione to different exogenous and endogenous electrophilic compounds. This study was carried out to characterize the purified GST enzyme from camel liver tissues and to investigate the in-vitro inhibitory effect of the flavonoid quercetin by measuring S-2,4-dinitrophenyl glutathione (DNP-GSH) formation from 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and reduced glutathione(GSH) as substrates. The Km values for reduced GSH and CDNB were found to be 0.08438 and 0.6827 mM while Vmax values were 6.935 and 15.599 mM/min respectively. The IC50 was determined to be 1.8 mM. The inhibition constant (Ki) was estimated to be 1.91 mM at 0.5 mM and 1.76 mM at 2 mM. The mean inhibition constant (Ki) was estimated to be 1.835±0.075mM which revealed an uncompetitive profile and indicated quercetin as a weak inhibitor with the varied concentration of CDNB and fixed concentration of reduced GSH as a substrate.

Profile of Some Trace Elements in the Liver of Camels, Sheep, and Goats in the Sudan.

One hundred camels (Camelus dromedaries) and fifty sheep and goats being adult, male, and apparently healthy field animals were studied to provide data regarding the normal values of some hepatic trace elements. Liver samples were collected during postmortem examination, digested, and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, and Mn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the differences in mean liver concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Co between camels, sheep, and goats were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Hepatic Cu, Fe, and Co concentrations were higher in camels than in sheep and goats. All liver samples were adequate for Fe and Co, whereas only camel liver was adequate for Cu. In camels, hepatic Zn concentration was inadequately lower than that in sheep and goats. No difference in Mn concentration was detected between camels, sheep, and goats. All liver samples were inadequate compared to free-ranging herbivores. In camels, significant correlation (r 2 = −0.207, P value = 0.04) was detected between Zn and Co, whereas in sheep significant correlation (r 2 = −0.444, P value = 0.026) was detected between Zn and Mn. No significant correlation between trace elements was detected in goats.

Gene Therapy Trail for Treatment of Tumor in Pregnant and Non Pregnant Mice by Mixed DNA with RNA

This study was conducted on 35 Adult Mus Musculus (Swiss albino) mice, it was suffering from tumors (parotid gland adenocarcinoma and another subcutaneous tumor). The mice divided in two groups, 25 mice treated and 10 mice control group. Total genome extracted from liver of camel by lysis buffer solution (100 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0) 5% SDS and purification by chloroform-phenol. Treated group subjected for gene therapy by in situ injection of 0.1cc mixed camel nucleic acid three times, until tumor mass disappear. All mice for control group were dead, while the mice treated still alive. In conclusion, the total genome of camel may play an important role in the defense mechanism of the body against adinoarcinoma.

Proteomics of old world camelid (Camelus dromedarius): Better understanding the interplay between homeostasis and desert environment

Life is the interplay between structural–functional integrity of biological systems and the influence of the external environment. To understand this interplay, it is useful to examine an animal model that competes with harsh environment. The dromedary camel is the best model that thrives under severe environment with considerable durability. The current proteomic study on dromedary organs explains a number of cellular mysteries providing functional correlates to arid living. Proteome profiling of camel organs suggests a marked increased expression of various cytoskeleton proteins that promote intracellular trafficking and communication. The comparative overexpression of α-actinin of dromedary heart when compared with rat heart suggests an adaptive peculiarity to sustain hemoconcentration–hemodilution episodes associated with alternative drought-rehydration periods. Moreover, increased expression of the small heat shock protein, α B-crystallin facilitates protein folding and cellular regenerative capacity in dromedary heart. The observed unbalanced expression of different energy related dependent mitochondrial enzymes suggests the possibility of mitochondrial uncoupling in the heart in this species. The evidence of increased expression of H+-ATPase subunit in camel brain guarantees a rapidly usable energy supply. Interestingly, the guanidinoacetate methyltransferase in camel liver has a renovation effect on high energy phosphate with possible concomitant intercession of ion homeostasis. Surprisingly, both hump fat tissue and kidney proteomes share the altered physical distribution of proteins that favor cellular acidosis. Furthermore, the study suggests a vibrant nature for adipose tissue of camel hump by the up-regulation of vimentin in adipocytes, augmenting lipoprotein translocation, blood glucose trapping, and challenging external physical extra-stress. The results obtained provide new evidence of homeostasis in the arid habitat suitable for this mammal.

Purification and characterization of highly stable aldo-keto reductase from camel (Camelus dromedarius) liver

Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) was purified to homogeneity from camel liver by ion exchange on Q Sepharose, affinity chromatography on Blue-Sepharose and 2,5-ADP-Sepharose 4B. The purification procedure resulted in 32.43-fold purification with 0.65% final yield. Subunit and native molecular weights of the purified enzyme determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography, were 33kD and 133kD, respectively. The purified AKR exhibited maximal activity at a temperature of 50°C and pH of 7.0. The Km values for NADPH and NADH calculated from the Lineweaver-Burk plot were 0.01 mM and 0.083 mM, respectively, whereas the Km values for m-Nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-Anisaldehyde and P-Benzoquinone were 0.9 mM, 1.11 mM and 0.57 mM, respectively.

Characterization of partially purified catalase from camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) liver

The liver of camel has high level of catalase (32,225 units/g tissue) as commercially used bovine liver catalase. For the establishment of the enzyme, the rate of catalase activity was linearly increased with increase of the catalase concentration and incubation time. The procedure of partial purification of catalase from camel liver included preparation of crude extract, ammonium sulphate precipitation and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose (DEAE)-Sepharose. One peak catalase activity was obtained from the chromatography. The enzyme had optimum pH of 7.0. Camel liver catalase had broad optimum temperature between 25 and 40°C and was stable up to 25°C. The Km and Vmax values were found to be 22.7 mM H2O2/ml and 7.9 units/ml, respectively. All metal cations partially inhibited camel liver catalase with the exception of Hg 2+ which had strong inhibitory effect, whereas 95% of its activity was lost at 1.0 mM. In conclusion, camel liver catalase can be used as an alternative commercial bovine liver catalase.

Characterization of partially purified catalase from camel (Camelus dromedarius) liver

Characterization of partially purified catalase from camel (Camelus dromedarius) liver

Molecular cloning and characterization of a putative OGG_N domain from the camel, Camelus dromedarius

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize the guanine base in the DNA to 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). This lesion, if left unrepaired, causes the transversion of G:C pair to T:A following replication. 8-oxoG is targeted by one of the DNA glycosylases, namely OGG1. Arabian camel (one humped camel, Camelus dromedarius ) is adapted to live in desert climate conditions under direct exposure to endogenous and exogenous ROS-producing conditions, among of them the sunlight. In the recent study, partial sequence of camel OGG-1 gene was cloned and analyzed for the first time. A DNA fragment of 567 bases was amplified by reverse transcription PCR. It is equivalent to about 55% from the coding region of the known transcript of many organisms. The level of expression of OGG-1 in different camel tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, lung and testis) was examined using real time-PCR. The highest level of OGG-1 transcript was found in the camel liver (represented as 100%) followed by testis (85%), spleen (78%), kidney (37%) and lung (3%) using 18S ribosomal subunit as endogenous control. The obtained cDNA sequence of OGG-1 showed high similarity with Ailuropoda melanoleuca (86%), Sus scrofa (86%), Canis familiaris (85%), Bos taurus (85%), Macaca mulatta (85%), Homo sapiens (84%), Pan troglodytes (84%) and Pongo abelii (82%). Keywords: Camelus dromedarius , cloning, OGG1, gene expression, DNA glycosylase

Molecular Cloning, Characterization and Predicted Structure of a Putative Copper-Zinc SOD from the Camel, Camelus dromedarius

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the first line of defense against oxidative stress induced by endogenous and/or exogenous factors and thus helps in maintaining the cellular integrity. Its activity is related to many diseases; so, it is of importance to study the structure and expression of SOD gene in an animal naturally exposed most of its life to the direct sunlight as a cause of oxidative stress. Arabian camel (one humped camel, Camelus dromedarius) is adapted to the widely varying desert climatic conditions that extremely changes during daily life in the Arabian Gulf. Studying the cSOD1 in C. dromedarius could help understand the impact of exposure to direct sunlight and desert life on the health status of such mammal. The full coding region of a putative CuZnSOD gene of C. dromedarius (cSOD1) was amplified by reverse transcription PCR and cloned for the first time (gene bank accession number for nucleotides and amino acids are JF758876 and AEF32527, respectively). The cDNA sequencing revealed an open reading frame of 459 nucleotides encoding a protein of 153 amino acids which is equal to the coding region of SOD1 gene and protein from many organisms. The calculated molecular weight and isoelectric point of cSOD1 was 15.7 kDa and 6.2, respectively. The level of expression of cSOD1 in different camel tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, lung and testis) was examined using Real Time-PCR. The highest level of cSOD1 transcript was found in the camel liver (represented as 100%) followed by testis (45%), kidney (13%), lung (11%) and spleen (10%), using 18S ribosomal subunit as endogenous control. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited high similarity with Cebus apella (90%), Sus scrofa (88%), Cavia porcellus (88%), Mus musculus (88%), Macaca mulatta (87%), Pan troglodytes (87%), Homo sapiens (87%), Canis familiaris (86%), Bos taurus (86%), Pongo abelii (85%) and Equus caballus (82%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cSOD1 is grouped together with S. scrofa. The predicted 3D structure of cSOD1 showed high similarity with the human and bovine CuZnSOD homologues. The Root-mean-square deviation (rmsd) between cSOD1/hSOD1 and cSOD1/bSOD1 superimposed structure pairs were 0.557 and 0.425 A. The Q-score of cSOD1-hSOD1 and cSOD1-bSOD1 were 0.948 and 0.961, respectively.

Purification and characterization of camel liver L-asparaginase

L-asparaginase from camel liver was isolated and purified by heat denaturation followed by QAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography and SP-Sepharose column chromatography. The purified camel liver L-asparaginase had a molecular weight of 180 kDa (consistent with a homotetramer) and a pI value of 8.6. The enzyme was thermostable with relative structure rigidity and an optimum temperature at 65&deg;C . It had a pH optimum at 9.6 and was stable for storage at 4&deg;C in the refrigerator for 7 days.Key Words: Camel, liver, purification, L-asparaginase

Molecular cloning and characterization of cDNA encoding Camelus dromedarius putative glucose 6- phosphate dehydrogenase

This study determined the partial coding sequence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) cDNA from the Arabian camel Camelus dromedarius using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Degenerate PCR primers were designed from the available data base deposited in the GenBank. Applying these primers to cDNA prepared from isolated and purified total RNA from Arabian camel liver led to the generation of two PCR products corresponding to 969 and 477 bp. These PCR products were cloned on pGEM-T-Easy cloning vector separately. Sequencing of the PCR generated cDNA fragments indicated that the 969 bp fragment represents partial coding sequence of camel G6PD and showed 93, 91 and 86% similarity with the Homo sapiens, Bos taurus and Rattus norvegicus G6PD, respectively. The Camelus dromedaries G6PD partial coding sequence encodes an open reading frame of a truncated protein consists of 323 amino acid residues that showed the conserved substrate binding site and the dinuclotide-binding fingerprint. Key words: Arabian camel, degenerate primers, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Dietary Camel Liver Poisoning in Domestic Cats

Dietary Camel Liver Poisoning in Domestic Cats

Prevalence, biology, pathology, and public health importance of linguatulosis of camel in Iran

Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite with its adult form occurring in the nasal and respiratory passages of canids as the definitive hosts, while its immature stages localize in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lungs, and, rarely, in other organs, such as the ocular region of herbivorous intermediate hosts. Humans can behave as both intermediate and final host and are infected by visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis. Consumption of infected, improperly cooked viscera of the intermediate hosts, including sheep, goats, cattle, camels, or other herbivores containing the larval stages of this parasite is a potential source of infection of human beings with the nasopharyngeal form of linguatulosis. However, nasopharyngeal secretions or feces of carnivores containing eggs of Linguatula are the main sources for infecting human beings with the visceral form of this infection. In the present study, the prevalence of infection by nymphs of L. serrata in 101 camels in Yazd Province, central Iran, was estimated based on histopathological studies of samples from two, apparently enlarged, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), together with one sample from a whitish pinpoint spot on the liver and spleen of each animal. Thirteen camels (12.9%) were infected with the nymphal stage of L. serrata. Age and sex did not play a significant role in the prevalence of this parasitic infection. The number of parasites in each MLN ranged from one to six larvae. In view of the consumption of raw or undercooked liver and visceral organs of camel by humans of this region, the importance of careful inspection at slaughter needs to be emphasized.

Studies of "emaciation ailment" in the Bactrian camel

The clinical signs of disorder known locally as “emaciation ailment” in Bactrian camels in Haizi, Qinhai, China were defined. They included pica, emaciation, dyskinesia, deprived appetites and anemia. We found that concentrations of copper (Cu) in soil and forage from affected and unaffected areas were similar, but the concentrations of sulfur (S) in soil and forage were significantly higher (P<0.01) in affected than in unaffected areas. Concentrations of Cu in blood, hair and liver from the affected camels were significantly lower (P<0.01) than those in unaffected camels. Fifty affected camels grazing on affected pastures were consuming an average of 136 mg of Cu/d for 80 d by a free-choice, salt-basedtrace mineral supplement. Liver Cu increased over time in all camels. However, the mean Cu content of the liver was significantly lower in the camels supplemented with salt-based trace mineral as compared with those in the healthy camels at the end of the study. Twelve affected camels were removed from the affected pastures and allocated to one of two treatments for 80 d, consisting of supplement providing 136 mg/d of either inorganic (Cu sulfate; n = 6) or organic (Availa-Cu n = 6) Cu. Liver Cu increased over time in all camels regardless of treatment; however, camels treated with Availa-Cu have higher mean liver Cu contents than those receiving Cu sulfate (163.6 ± 13.5 and 228.9 ± 26.7 μg/g, for Cu sulfate and Availa-Cu, respectively) at the end of the study. Mean Cu content in the liver of camels received Availa-Cu was significantly higher than that in supplemented camels with Cu sulfate. In all treated camels, some signs of recovery were evident in 20 - 30 days after, and appetite and vigor were improved. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that ailments of camels in the Haizi area are caused by a secondary Cu deficiency, mainly due to high sulfur content in soil and forage. Key words : Bactrian camel, sulfur, copper, deficiency, “emaciation ailment”.

Redox homeostasis and respiratory metabolism in camels (Camelus dromedaries): comparisons with domestic goats and laboratory rats and mice

We have previously reported the occurrence of multiple forms of drug-metabolizing enzymes in camel tissues. Here, we investigate glutathione (GSH)-dependent redox homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial respiratory functions in camel tissues and compare them with imported domestic goats and laboratory rats and mice. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) and GSH-metabolizing enzymes were differentially expressed in the liver and kidney of these animals. Camel liver has significantly lower GSH pool than that in goats, rats and mice. Mitochondria isolated from the tissues of these animals showed a comparable ability to metabolize specific substrates for respiratory enzyme complexes I, II/III and IV. These complexes were metabolically more active in the kidney than in the liver of all the species. Furthermore, the activity of complex IV in camel tissues was significantly lower than in other species. On the other hand, complex II/III activity in camel kidney was higher compared to the other species. In addition, as expected, we observed that inhibitors of these enzyme complexes augment the production of mitochondrial ROS in camel and goat tissues. These results help to better understand the metabolic ability and adaptation in desert camels in comparison with domestic goats and laboratory rats and mice since they are exposed to different environmental and dietary conditions. Our study may also have implications in the pharmacology and toxicology of drugs and pollutants in these species.

Molecular Characterization of the Camelus dromedarius Putative Cytochrome P450s Genes

The expression levels of cytochrome P450s were examined in different camel tissues by western blotting and semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Camelus dromedarius liver microsomes were found to express different P450s isoenzymes constitutively. The maximum expression of P450 protein was seen in the camel liver in the order of P450 2E1, 1A1, 3A and 2B1/2. Camel extrahepatic tissues, kidney, spleen and the lung showed detectable levels of P450s 1A1 but lower than that noticed in liver. Detectable level of P450 2B1/2 was also observed in camel lung (29.5 vs. 58% liver microsomes). P450scc and 21-hydroxylase were found to be differentially expressed only in camel testis. Partial sequences of these P450s genes showed high similarities with the human P450s. These results demonstrate that the multiple forms of P450s are differentially expressed in camel tissues and that the relative levels of expression are comparable with other mammals. These observations might be important in understanding the differential susceptibility of camel tissues to the toxic effects of xenobiotics and environmental pollution.

Early Embryonic Development of the Liver of the One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The present study was carried out to highlight the histomorphological structure of the liver of the one-humped ca-mel during early embryonic life. Samples were collected from pregnant she- camles after slaughtering and evisceration. Different embryonic stages were taken and the crown to rump (CVR) length was measured to the nearest millimeter (ranging from 7 to 185 mm). Morphological study revealed that the liver primordium appeared at 7mm CVR length fetuses. At 12mm CVR length the liver was related cranially to the septum transversum and heart, caudally to the primitive spleen, mesogastrium, and primitive stomach and to the lesser omentum while dorsally it was related to the mesonephrous and ventrally to the floor of the abdominal cavity. Lobation of the liver appeared at fetal lengths of 50 mm CVR length. Histological study revealed that the liver parenchyma consisted of a mass of hepatic foci, haemopoietic cells and irregular wide blood spaces. The primordium of Glisson's capsule appeared in fetuses of 75 mm CVR length. Megakaryocytes were noticed among hepatocytes and heamopoietic foci. Sections stained with theGiemssa stain revealed group of mast cells among hepatocytes. Hepatic tis- sue stained by Methyl green pyroninn stained revealed that hepatocytes showed methyl green positive materials while haemopoietic cells showed pyrinophilic positive granules at 12 mmCVR length fetuses. Small sized mitochondrial granules appeared in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes stained with Iron haematoxylin in fetuses of 12 mm CVR length. Hepatocytes were faintly stained with PAS. Electron microscopicstudy revealed that the hepatocytes of 185 mm CVR length camel fetuses con- tained large glycogen globlules in addi- tion to abundant mitochondria. Histo- morphometric studies were applied to compare the mean number of hepatic foci to that of haemopoietic foci and also to measure the number and size of megakaryocytes.

Some parasitic and bacterial causes of liver affections in ruminants

In the present study, a total number of 1576 livers of ruminants, including cattle (924), sheep (487) and camels (165) were examined for detection of different pathogenic agents. Among those, a number of 58 cases (3.68 %) were infected with both parasites and bacteria. Out of this number, 3 cases only (0.19 %) were infected with bacterial species (Lactobacillus lactis lactis), 31 cases (1.97 %) were infected with parasitic stages only and a number of 24 cases (1.52 %) were co-infected with both bacteria and parasites. Among the bacterial isolates, 11 genera of bacterial species were found in 27 cases. The obtained results revealed that, all infected cases were cattle. The most prevalent isolate was Enterococcus species which present in 7 cases (25.92 %) among the totally bacterial infected cases, followed by 5 cases showed Staphylococci (18.52 %), then both genus Escherichia and genus Lactobacillus, each was found in 4 cases (14.81 %) and finally 7 genera including;Enterobacter,Micrococcus,Citrobacter,Aerococcus,Pseudomonas,Chrysomonas and Streptococcus; each was found in a single case with a percentage of 3.70 %. Concerning the parasitic affections, it has been found that Fasciola species was the most prevalent type of helminthes present in the infected livers. Among all infected livers, 40 cases (2.54 %) were infected with adult Fasciola gigantica (including 33 cattle and 7 sheep), followed by 8 cases of camels (0.51 %) infected with Hydatid cysts, then 4 cases of sheep (0.25 %) infected with Cysticercus tenuicollis and finally 3 cases of sheep (0.19 %) infected with both Fasciola gigantica and Cysticercus tenuicollis. The results revealed that, a considerable high number of co-infected animals {24 cases (41.38 %) among the totally infected animals} was existed and this reveals that the parasite facilitates the way to the secondary bacterial infection with the end results of hepatic tissue degeneration and necrosis. So, in abattoirs, great attention must be taken for appropriate evaluation of these pathogenic sources.