Mahmoud R. Abd Ellah

Involvement of free radicals in animal diseases

The balance between free radicals and antioxidants is disrupted in many diseases. This disruption may be attributed to a number of factors such as the inability of the cells to produce sufficient amounts of antioxidants, the nutritional deficiency of minerals or vitamins, and the excess production of reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this article was to explore the involvement of free radicals in the pathogenesis of diseases that affect animals including hepatic diseases, parasitic infestation, mastitis, kidney damage, and carcinogenesis.The balance between free radicals and antioxidants is disrupted in many diseases. This disruption may be attributed to a number of factors such as the inability of the cells to produce sufficient amounts of antioxidants, the nutritional deficiency of minerals or vitamins, and the excess production of reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this article was to explore the involvement of free radicals in the pathogenesis of diseases that affect animals including hepatic diseases, parasitic infestation, mastitis, kidney damage, and carcinogenesis.

Superoxide dismutase activity as a measure of hepatic oxidative stress in cattle following ethionine administration

The goal of this study was to assess if oxidative stress, as measured by alterations in the concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and erythrocytes of cattle, could be induced following dl-ethionine administration. Whole blood, serum and liver biopsy samples were collected 0, 4, 7 and 10 days after intra-peritoneal ethionine administration to five cows. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes copper zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn SOD) and catalase were assessed in the liver biopsies which were also examined histopathologically. Significant increases in hepatic Cu, Zn SOD concentrations (P<0.01) were noted on days 7 and 10 post-treatment. Hepatic catalase activity decreased significantly (P<0.01) on days 4, 7 and 10 post-treatment and erythrocyte Cu, Zn SOD activity was significantly increased on day 10. Serum biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase (P<0.01) in non-esterified fatty acid concentrations on day 4 and significant decreases in total cholesterol and phospholipid levels on days 4 (P<0.05), 7 (P<0.01) and 10 (P<0.01). In this model system, dl-ethionine administration was effective in inducing oxidative stress particularly reflected in the liver.

Serum biochemical and haematological reference intervals for water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) heifers

Based on a review of the literature, reference intervals for water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) serum biochemistry and haematology have not previously been published. The current study was done to establish reference intervals for water buffalo heifers. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry stated that at least 120 values are necessary to obtain reliable estimates for reference intervals. A total number of 127 clinically healthy buffalo heifers (1-2 years old) were included in the study. Animals were examined at buffalo farms that belong to Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Three types of samples were collected: serum samples for biochemical analysis, whole blood samples for haematological analysis and faecal samples for parasitological examination. Animals that fitted the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Biochemical analysis included serum total proteins, albumin, total globulins, alpha, beta and gamma globulin levels, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity. In addition to the above, serum creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, glucose levels and 20 haematological variables were measured. The 95.0% reference intervals were calculated by removing the upper and lower 2.5% of the interval for each serum biochemical constituent to give the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Confidence intervals were calculated for each reference limit. Reference intervals from the current study were compared with established values for cows. The current study is as far as could be determined the first that establishes reference intervals for the serum biochemical and haematological parameters in water buffalo heifers.Based on a review of the literature, reference intervals for water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) serum biochemistry and haematology have not previously been published. The current study was done to establish reference intervals for water buffalo heifers. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry stated that at least 120 values are necessary to obtain reliable estimates for reference intervals. A total number of 127 clinically healthy buffalo heifers (1-2 years old) were included in the study. Animals were examined at buffalo farms that belong to Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Three types of samples were collected: serum samples for biochemical analysis, whole blood samples for haematological analysis and faecal samples for parasitological examination. Animals that fitted the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Biochemical analysis included serum total proteins, albumin, total globulins, alpha, beta and gamma globulin levels, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity. In addition to the above, serum creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, glucose levels and 20 haematological variables were measured. The 95.0% reference intervals were calculated by removing the upper and lower 2.5% of the interval for each serum biochemical constituent to give the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Confidence intervals were calculated for each reference limit. Reference intervals from the current study were compared with established values for cows. The current study is as far as could be determined the first that establishes reference intervals for the serum biochemical and haematological parameters in water buffalo heifers.

The Role of Liver Biopsy in Detection of Hepatic Oxidative Stress

The goal of the current paper is to explore the role of liver biopsy as a tool in detection of hepatic oxidative stress, with brief notes on different types of free radicals, antioxidants, hepatic and blood oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Hepatic oxidative stress was investigated for many years in human and animals, but most of the studies performed in animals were concerned with studying oxidative status in the liver tissues after slaughtering or euthanasia. However, in human medicine, a large number of studies were implemented to investigate the status of antioxidants in liver biopsy specimens. Similar studies are required in animals, as the changes in hepatic antioxidants and formation of lipid peroxide give a good idea about the condition of the liver. On the other hand, hepatic disease may present without significant effect on blood oxidative status, and, consequently, the best way to detect the status of hepatic oxidants and antioxidants is through measuring in liver biopsy. Measuring antioxidants status directly in the liver tissues gives an accurate estimation about the condition of the liver, permits the diagnosis of hepatic dysfunction, and helps to determine the degree of deterioration in the hepatic cells.The goal of the current paper is to explore the role of liver biopsy as a tool in detection of hepatic oxidative stress, with brief notes on different types of free radicals, antioxidants, hepatic and blood oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Hepatic oxidative stress was investigated for many years in human and animals, but most of the studies performed in animals were concerned with studying oxidative status in the liver tissues after slaughtering or euthanasia. However, in human medicine, a large number of studies were implemented to investigate the status of antioxidants in liver biopsy specimens. Similar studies are required in animals, as the changes in hepatic antioxidants and formation of lipid peroxide give a good idea about the condition of the liver. On the other hand, hepatic disease may present without significant effect on blood oxidative status, and, consequently, the best way to detect the status of hepatic oxidants and antioxidants is through measuring in liver biopsy. Measuring antioxidants status directly in the liver tissues gives an accurate estimation about the condition of the liver, permits the diagnosis of hepatic dysfunction, and helps to determine the degree of deterioration in the hepatic cells.

Lactate dehydrogenase in Toxoplasma gondii controls virulence, bradyzoite differentiation, and chronic infection

In the asexual stages, Toxoplasma gondii stage converts between acute phase rapidly replicating tachyzoites and chronic phase slowly dividing bradyzoites. Correspondingly, T. gondii differentially expresses two distinct genes and isoforms of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, expressing LDH1 exclusively in the tachyzoite stage and LDH2 preferentially in the bradyzoite stage. LDH catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate in anaerobic growth conditions and is utilized for energy supply, however, the precise role of LDH1 and LDH2 in parasite biology in the asexual stages is still unclear. Here, we investigated the biological role of LDH1 and LDH2 in the asexual stages, and the vaccine strain potential of deletion mutants lacking LDH1, LDH2, or both genes (Δldh1, Δldh2 and Δldh1/2). Deletion of LDH1 reduced acute parasite virulence, impaired bradyzoite differentiation in vitro, and markedly reduced chronic stage cyst burdens in vivo. In contrast, deletion of LDH2 impaired chronic stage cyst burdens without affecting virulence or bradyzoite differentiation. Deletion of both LDH1 and LDH2 induced a more severe defect in chronic stage cyst burdens. These LDH mutant phenotypes were not associated with any growth defect. Vaccination of mice with a low dose of mutants deleted for LDH elicited effective protective immunity to lethal challenge infection, demonstrating the vaccine potential of LDH deletion mutants. These results suggest that lactate dehydrogenase in T. gondii controls virulence, bradyzoite differentiation, and chronic infection and reveals the potential of LDH mutants as vaccine strains.

Involvement of free radicals in parasitic infestations

The amount of reactive oxygen species increased in cells of hosts infected with parasites as reported by a number of studies. The excess of free radicals in the parasitised cells depends on the nutritional status of the host, the degree of parasitic infestations and on the destructive effect on tissue, and reported associating blood parasites like Theileriosis, Babesiosis and Trypanosomosis. In addition, external parasites and endoparasites such as Fasciola sp., Trichostrongylus sp. and Eimeria sp. had been reported to be associated with lipid peroxidation. The current review throws light on parasitic infestations associated with oxidative stress and their harmful effect.The amount of reactive oxygen species increased in cells of hosts infected with parasites as reported by a number of studies. The excess of free radicals in the parasitised cells depends on the nutritional status of the host, the degree of parasitic infestations and on the destructive effect on tissue, and reported associating blood parasites like Theileriosis, Babesiosis and Trypanosomosis. In addition, external parasites and endoparasites such as Fasciola sp., Trichostrongylus sp. and Eimeria sp. had been reported to be associated with lipid peroxidation. The current review throws light on parasitic infestations associated with oxidative stress and their harmful effect.

Comparative biochemical studies on natural Trypanosoma evansi infection in she-camels

The biochemical changes associating Trypanosoma evansi infection in pregnant and non-pregnant camels were investigated. Based on pregnancy diagnosis and serological findings, camels were classified into four groups as non-pregnant healthy camels (N = 6), non-pregnant camels infected with T. evansi (N = 6), pregnant healthy camels (N = 6), and pregnant camels infected with Trypanosoma evansi (N = 8). The results revealed significant decreases (p < 0.05) in serum total proteins, albumin and globulins levels, and significant increases (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in pregnant camels infected with T. evansi compared with healthy pregnant camel. On the other hand, there were hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia in healthy pregnant camel compared with non-pregnant camel. It could be concluded that the biochemical changes associating T. evansi infection in pregnant camels are hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and hypoglobulinemia and increased serum total cholesterol and BUN levels.

Comparative studies on biochemical and cytological constituents of synovial fluids in some farm animals

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the difference in the synovial fluid constituents in cattle, buffaloes, camels, and donkeys. A total number of 20 clinically healthy adult male animals (cattle (N = 5), buffaloes (N = 5), camels (N = 5), and donkeys (N = 5) were subjected to study. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the metacarpophalangeal joint under complete aseptic conditions. The samples were examined physically, cytologically, and biochemically. Synovial fluid analysis revealed significant variations in specific gravity, total leukocyte counts, total proteins, albumin, globulins, glucose levels, and alkaline phosphatase activity among investigated animal species.

Evaluation of serum vitamin C, β-carotene and α-tocopherol status in pneumonia of camels

Status of serum vitamin C, β-carotene and α-tocopherol concentrations was evaluated in 17 camels suffering from pneumonia. The grossly affected lungs were collected for histopathological examination from camels at slaughterhouses, and serum samples were processed for measuring β-carotene (micrograms per decilitre), vitamin C (milligrams per decilitre) and α-tocopherol (micrograms per decilitre) levels. Based on histopathological examinations, camels under investigation were classified as acute bronchopneumonia (N = 3), chronic bronchopneumonia (N = 4), chronic pleuropneumonia (N = 3), interstitial pneumonia (N = 3), embolic pneumonia (N = 3) and control group (N = 4). The results revealed significant decreases in serum vitamin C and α-tocopherol concentrations in all investigated types of pneumonia. However, serum β-carotene showed insignificant changes. Results of the present study clearly demonstrated the importance of supplementing camels suffering from pneumonia with sources of vitamins along with the conventional systemic treatment to overcome the oxidative stress and to avoid the possible complications of α-tocopherol and vitamin C deficiencies.

Effect of traumatic reticulitis and allied syndromes on blood constituents in buffaloes

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of traumatic reticulitis and other affections on some blood variables in buffaloes. Female buffaloes (n = 62) were divided into eight groups: control, non-penetrating reticular foreign bodies (NPRF), traumatic reticulitis (TR), traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with peri-reticular abscess (TRP + PA), traumatic reticuloperitonitis with vagus indigestion (TRP + VI), diaphragmatic hernia (DH), and traumatic pericarditis (TP). Results revealed a significant decrease in RBC count in cases of NPRF, TR, TRP, TRP + PA, and TP. Platelet count was significantly decreased in case of TRP. Serum albumin concentration was significantly decreased in cases of TRP, NPRF and TR. Serum zinc was significantly decreased in case of TP. Serum phosphorus was significantly decreased in case of DH. It could be concluded that anemia is a consistent finding in affections of the rumen and reticulum in buffaloes. The tendency of buffaloes to ingest foreign bodies may be attributed to deficiency of phosphorus and/or zinc.