Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the effect of halothane or isoflurane general anaesthesia on the serum concentrations of the inflammation biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hp), and on the bone biomarkers osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP) and pyridinoline cross-links (PYD) biomarkers. Six healthy female camels were premedicated with xylazine and anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and maintained with either isoflurane (isoflurane group, n=6) or halothane (halothane group, n=6). A washout period of 2 weeks was allowed between the two anaesthetic protocols. Three blood samples were obtained from each camel; immediately before anaesthesia (T0), 80 min of recovery (T1), and 48 h after recovery from anaesthesia (T2). In the halothane group, the CRP values decreased significantly 48 h after anaesthesia compared to preanaesthetic values (P=0.04). In the isoflurane group, the serum concentration of CRP has increased significantly 80 min after recovery compared to preanaesthetic values (P=0.0009), but decreased significantly 48 h after anaesthesia compared to 80 min of recovery (P=0.0005). The most important finding in the halothane and isoflurane groups in the current study was the sharp increase in the serum concentration of Hp where it dramatically increased from 0.2 +/- 0.04 mg/L preanaesthetic (TO) in both groups to 43.4 mg/L and 20.8 +/- 4.6 mg/L (T1), respectively. The bone formation (OC, b-ALP) and bone resorption (PYD) biomarkers serum levels in this investigation did not show any significant changes following either halothane or isoflurane general anaesthesia compared to preanaesthetic values at any test point. In conclusion, isoflurane is superior to halothane as an inhalation anaesthetic in dromedary camels as acute phase reaction occurred sharply in halothane compared to isoflurane anesthetised camels.