Catalase (CAT) plays a central role in the protection of different cell types against the deleterious effects of hydrogen peroxide. In human, CAT is implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions including idiopathic male infertility. In this study we examined the association between CAT levels in seminal plasma with different sperm parameters and with CAT-262 C/T polymorphism and their risk for idiopathic male infertility in Algeria. Semen and blood samples were obtained from 111 infertile males and 104 fertile controls from the region of Eastern Algeria following informed consent. Standard semen parameters, DNA integrity, and CAT concentration in seminal plasma were evaluated. CAT-262C/T genotypes were screened using allele specific PCR. Seminal CAT activity was significantly different (p<0.0001) between infertile males and controls, it was also markedly decreased in oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (p<0.0001), azoospermia (p<0.0001), and normozoospermia (p=0.045) subgroups compared to controls. Positive correlations between CAT activity and semen parameters (volume, motility, concentration, and morphology) were detected, but not with sperm DNA integrity. There was no direct association between CAT-262C/T polymorphism and general male infertility. However, the results presented in this study showed that CAT activity is remarkably associated with the CAT-262T allele (p=0.001) and the different CAT-262C/T genotypes. This study highlighted the major differences in the seminal plasma CAT content between infertile and fertile males and the differences of CAT concentration between different CAT-262C/T genotypes carriers.

Camel milk (CM) has got an increasing interest by traditional healers and medical practitioners in areas where camels are raised for their therapeutic potential. To investigate the potential activity of CM against cancer on scientific bases, azoxymethane (AOM)/Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) colitis Balb/c mouse model of CRC was used and CM whey was given orally during disease development. Colitis associated symptoms and tumor development were followed during the experiment and at the day of termination. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression were quantified using qPCR. The results showed a significant effect for CM whey on the reduction of early stage development of CRC and colon inflammation symptoms, as revealed by enhanced weight gain, reduced bloody stool and diarrhea. A concurrent reduction in gene expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was evident in colon tissue of CM whey treated mice. Moreover, both IFN-γ and IL-8 gene expression was also significantly reduced in treated mice. On the contrary, the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 was elevated in colon tissues of CM treated mice. In addition, iNOS, a marker for inflamed mucosa was down-regulated in treated mice. A control bovine milk whey treated group showed similar effect on IL-8, IL-6 and iNOS gene expression, whereas an elevation in IFN-γ was noticed in this group. Our results indicate the potential activity of CM whey in reducing the development of CRC in mice mainly by reducing colitis induction by chemical stimuli. Whether the active substance responsible for this activity is single or combined deserves further investigation.

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