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Heat stress (HS) is an environmental factor that depresses the immune systems mediating dysfunctional immune cells. Camel whey protein (CWP) can scavenge free radicals and enhance immunity. The present study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with CWP on immune dysfunction induced by exposure to HS. Male mice (n = 45) were divided into three groups: control group; HS group; and HS mice that were orally administered CWP (HS+CWP group). The HS group exhibited elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) as well as a significant reduction in the IL-2 and IL-4 levels. Exposure to HS resulted in impaired AKT and IκB-α phosphorylation; increased ATF-3 and HSP70 expression; and aberrant distribution of CD3+ T cells and CD20+ B cells in the thymus and spleen. Interestingly, HS mice treated with CWP presented significantly restored levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines near the levels observed in control mice. Furthermore, supplementation of HS mice with CWP enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and IκB-α; attenuated the expression of ATF-3, HSP70 and HSP90; and improved T and B cell distributions in the thymus and spleen. Our findings reveal a potential immunomodulatory effect of CWP in attenuating immune dysfunction induced by exposure to thermal stress.

Heat stress (HS) is an environmental factor that depresses the immune systems mediating dysfunctional immune cells. Camel whey protein (CWP) can scavenge free radicals and enhance immunity. The present study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with CWP on immune dysfunction induced by exposure to HS. Male mice (n = 45) were divided into three groups: control group; HS group; and HS mice that were orally administered CWP (HS+CWP group). The HS group exhibited elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) as well as a significant reduction in the IL-2 and IL-4 levels. Exposure to HS resulted in impaired AKT and IκB-α phosphorylation; increased ATF-3 and HSP70 expression; and aberrant distribution of CD3+ T cells and CD20+ B cells in the thymus and spleen. Interestingly, HS mice treated with CWP presented significantly restored levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines near the levels observed in control mice. Furthermore, supplementation of HS mice with CWP enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and IκB-α; attenuated the expression of ATF-3, HSP70 and HSP90; and improved T and B cell distributions in the thymus and spleen. Our findings reveal a potential immunomodulatory effect of CWP in attenuating immune dysfunction induced by exposure to thermal stress.

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A total of 218 species and 3 varieties belonging to 83 genera of filamentous and yeast fungi were recovered from the air of both citrus and grapevine plantations. A relatively higher numbers of genera and species were recovered from the air of citrus plantations compared with those recovered from grapevine plantations. The peak of total propagules of fungi caught from the air of citrus plantations was shown in February on both media and from the air of grapevine in December and August on DYM and DRBC, respectively. Their troughs were shown in June and October on DYM and DRBC, respectively for both citrus and grapevine plantations. The widest spectrum of species recovered from the air of citrus plantations was registered in June on both media and from the air of grapevine plantations in February and in April on DYM and DRBC, respectively. The air of citrus plantations shared the air of grapevine plantations in some highly encountered filamentous fungi on both media (Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria) or on one medium (Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Myrothecium, Phoma and Pleospora). Eighty-four fungal species were isolated from the air of citrus only, while 46 species were isolated from the air of grapevine only.Yeast fungi showed their peak of total propagules from the air of citrus plantations in October and April and from the air of grapevine plantations in June and December on DYM and DRBC, respectively. Fifteen genera and 26 species of yeasts were collected. Two genera of yeasts were encountered in high frequency on one medium and moderate or low on the other medium in the air of both citrus and grapevine plantations and these were Cryptoccocus (4 species) and Rhodotorula (3 species).