Synovial fluid antioxidant vitamins and trace elements in clinically healthy and arthritic joints of dromedary camels

Forty six male dromedary camels (camelus dromedarius),5 to 10 years of age were entered in this study. before slaughtering,the animals were visually examined for abnormalities in musculoskeletal system. 33 out of 46 camels did not have any clinical articular abnormalities,whereas 13 ones had gross problems such as lameness and swollen tarsal joints. based on clinical signs and disease history,these animals were suspected to arthritis. after slaughtering,synovial fluid specimens were taken from tarsal joints of all animals,aseptically and concentrations of zinc,copper,selenium,iron and vitamin a,e and c were assayed. concentrations of selenium and vitamin c in arthritic joints were significantly lower than clinically healthy camels (p<0.05). zinc concentration of arthritic synovial fluid was significantly higher than normal joints. these data showed that the arthritis could change the synovial fluid vitamins and trace elements in dromedary camels. in conclusion,the results of the current research showed that arthritic joints are in an oxidative stress situation and information regarding the changing patterns of vitamins and trace elements in synovial fluids can be considered as prognostic and diagnostic criteria for articular inflammatory processes.