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

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Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

CYP 2E1:

Cytochrome P450 2E1

GSH:

Glutathione

GSSG:

Oxidized glutathione

GST:

Glutathione S-transferase

GSH-Px:

Glutathione peroxidase

GSSG reductase:

Glutathione reductase

LPO:

Lipid peroxidation

NAD(P)H:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(phosphate) reduced

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SDS-PAGE:

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank UAE University for Research Affairs Individual Grant and also to the grants from the FMHS Research Committee.

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Author notes

  1. Amna Al-Otaiba

    Present address: Al Ain Wild Life Park and Resort, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Amna Al-Otaiba, Annie John, Thekra Al-Belooshi & Haider Raza

Authors
  1. Amna Al-Otaiba
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  2. Annie John
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  3. Thekra Al-Belooshi
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  4. Haider Raza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haider Raza.

Additional information

Communicated by I.D. Hume.

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Al-Otaiba, A., John, A., Al-Belooshi, T. et al. Redox homeostasis and respiratory metabolism in camels (Camelus dromedaries): comparisons with domestic goats and laboratory rats and mice. J Comp Physiol B 180, 1121–1132 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-010-0482-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-010-0482-x

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