Camel milk inhibits inflammatory angiogenesis via downregulation of proangiogenic and proinflammatory cytokines in mice

Camel milk has traditionally been used to treat cancer, but this practice awaits scientific scrutiny, in particular its role in tumor angiogenesis, the key step involved in tumor growth and metastasis. We aimed to investigate the effects of camel milk on key components of inflammatory angiogenesis in sponge implant angiogenesis model. Polyester‐polyurethane sponges, used as a framework for fibrovascular tissue growth, were implanted in Swiss albino mice and camel milk (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day) was administered for 14 days through installed cannula. The implants collected at day 14 post‐implantation were processed for the assessment of hemoglobin (Hb), myeloperoxidase (MPO), N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), and collagen, which were used as indices for angiogenesis, neutrophil, and macrophage accumulation and extracellular matrix deposition, respectively. Relevant inflammatory, angiogenic, and fibrogenic cytokines were also determined. Camel milk treatment attenuated the main components of the fibrovascular tissue, wet weight, vascularization (Hb content), macrophage recruitment (NAG activity), collagen deposition and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and transforming growth factor‐β. A regulatory function of camel milk on multiple parameters of the main components of inflammatory angiogenesis has been revealed, giving insight into the potential therapeutic benefit underlying the anti‐cancer actions of camel milk.     

Coxiella burnetii,the causative agent of Q fever in Saudi Arabia:molecular detection from camel and other domestic livestock

Objective:To detect Coxiella burnetii(C.burnetii)DNA in clinical specimens from camel,goats,cattle and sheep in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Methods:A total of 367 clinical samples including blood,milk,faeces and urine were collected from different livestock and subjected to PCR amplification using primers which amplify transposon-like region and transposase gene.Results:Positive amplification from both regions was obtained from camel,goats and cattle but not from sheep.A percentage of 10.8%samples yielded positive PCR amplification from both blood and milk,where 15 of 139 blood and 16 of 148 milk samples were positive.Faeces and urine showed higher percentages of positive samples reaching 40.8%and 23.8%respectively.Conclusions:The preferred route of shedding in camel appeared to be the faeces followed by urine,while that of goats appeared to be the faeces and that of the cattle appeared to be the milk.     

Bacterial isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance,hemolytic activity,and high 16S rRNA gene similarity with well‐known pathogens found in camel milk samples of Riyadh region

Customary consumption of unpasteurized milk by the population in the central Najed region of Saudi Arabia may pose a health risk. Therefore, 80 camel milk samples were collected aseptically from seven different stations of Riyadh region. The biochemical and microbiological properties of these milk samples were determined. Nutrient agar and brain heart infusion agar were used to determine mesophilic aerobic counts (MACs). The MAC in each mL of milk varied from 60 to 16 × 10⁴ CFU/mL on nutrient agar. Based on the colony morphology, 176 colonies were collected from different samples, and these isolates were de‐replicated into 80 unique isolates using rep‐PCR analysis. Surprisingly, the 16S rRNA sequence analysis of these strains revealed that more than one‐third of the collected milk samples contained strains that share maximum sequence similarities with well‐known pathogens, such as Brucella, Bacillus anthracis, Listeria monocytogenes, and MRSA. Furthermore, many strains exhibit 16S rRNA gene similarity with opportunistic pathogens such as Citrobacter freundii and Kytococcus schroeteri. Many strains exhibit β‐hemolytic activity and resistant to six different antibiotics. Our study suggested that consumption of raw camel milk from this region constitutes a great health risk.     

Camel’s milk ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis in rats via downregulation of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress

Current treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with several adverse effects, and thus, the search for effective agents with minimal side effects merits attention. Camel’s milk (CM) is endowed with antioxidant/anti-inflammatory features and has been reported to protect against diabetes and hepatic injury, however, its effects on IBD have not been previously explored. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the potential alleviating effects of CM against TNBS-induced colitis in rats. CM (10 ml/kg b.i.d. by oral gavage) effectively suppressed the severity of colon injury as evidenced by amelioration of macroscopic damage, colon weight/length ratio, histopathological alterations, leukocyte influx and myeloperoxidase activity. Administration of CM mitigated the colonic levels of TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines. The attenuation of CM to colon injury was also associated with suppression of oxidative stress via reduction of lipid peroxides and nitric oxide along with boosting the antioxidant defenses through restoration of colon glutathione and total anti-oxidant capacity. In addition, caspases-3 activity, an apoptotic marker, was inhibited. Together, our study highlights evidences for the promising alleviating effects of CM in colitis. Thus, CM may be an interesting complementary approach for the management of IBD.     

Contribution to the study of camel milk fat globule membrane

The camel milk fat globule membrane has been characterized according to several approaches. Compared with the cow milk fat globule membrane, various specificities have been revealed. Its physicochemical composition showed a poor content in proteins, and a higher content in neutral lipids and in phospholipids. The mechanical properties measured at low (4°C, 20°C) and high temperatures (40°C, 45°C and 50°C) using a film balance are different when the camel milk fat globule membrane is spread at the air–water interface. The thermal study revealed an important proportion of high-melting triacylglycerols that involves fatty acids with long chains.     

A Study of the Distribution of Total, Free, Peptide-bound and Protein-bound Hydroxyproline in the Plasma of Arabian Camel ( Camelus dromedarius )

This study was conducted to determine the presence of total, free, protein bound and peptide bound hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the plasma of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) as compared to the sheep. Results showed that the Hyp pool of sheep plasma was composed of free, protein bound and peptide bound hydroxyproline. On the other hand, only free and protein bound Hyp contributed to the Hyp pool of the camel plasma; peptide bound Hyp was not detected. Camel plasma showed a significantly lower content of total Hyp (p<0.001), however, a higher level (p<0.001) of protein bound Hyp as compared to sheep. The observed variations in Hyp distribution may result from differences in the Hyp derivatives and/or compositions in these species. This is the first report describing the distribution of Hyp in camel plasma.     

新疆绵羊源和骆驼源细粒棘球蚴超微结构的初步比较观察

用透射电镜对新疆乌鲁木齐绵羊源和骆驼源细粒棘球蚴囊壁及原头节标本的超微结构进行观察，发现二者之间在囊壁角质层和原头节生发层结构上有明显区别。绵羊源囊壁角质层高电子密度颗粒多，密度大，形成显著的板层状结构；原头节生发层远端胞浆厚，含有多量囊泡。     

南哈萨克斯坦州荒漠类草地的养驼业

本文介绍南哈萨克斯坦州荒漠类草地发展养驼业生产的一些具体做法和采取的措施及今后发展方向。     

Evidence for the presence of carbonic anhydrase 29-kDa isoenzyme in salivary secretions of three ruminating species and the gelada baboon

Salivary glands are highly variable in composition of their secretions and thus could be one of the primary ways by which species adapt or react to their environments. It has been hypothesized that feeding adaptation correlates with saliva composition. Hence, animals of different families using identical feeding niches should possess similar salivary proteins. For the first time, salivary secretions of grass-eating cattle, goat, camel and gelada baboon were compared by SDS-gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Salivary protein patterns were similar among individuals of the same species but varied largely among species. However, all samples showed proteins of apparently 29 and 42 kDa, identified as carbonic anhydrases (CA) by immunoblotting. The CA-VI (42 kDa) was highly expressed in cattle and camel saliva, but showed lower expression in goat saliva and could not be detected in gelada baboons. The CA-II (29 kDa) was found in saliva of all species tested and was shown in ruminating animals not to originate from cellular debris of the oral mucosa or ingested food. The results demonstrate that besides CA-VI, CA-II is another CA isoform secreted especially in ruminant saliva. Furthermore, the two CA isoenzymes detected may form a complementary system, protecting mucosa from acidity and helping to maintain a constant bicarbonate concentration in the animal's mouth and digestive tract.