The effect of taurine on mesenteric blood flow and organ injury in sepsis

Amino Acids. 2008 Aug;35(2):403-10. doi: 10.1007/s00726-007-0622-0. Epub 2007 Dec 28.

Abstract

Endotoxin decreases mesenteric blood flow and inflicts organ injury via free radicals. We investigated whether taurine, an endogenous antioxidant and vasodilator, could attenuate the deleterious effects of endotoxin in a mouse model of sepsis. Swiss albino mice were allocated into four groups and treated either with taurine (150 mg/kg, i.p. at 0(th), 8(th), 16(th) h) or its solvent sterile saline (NaCl 0.9%, w/v) while E. coli endotoxin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or its solvent saline were also given at 8(th) h. At 24(th) h the animals were anaesthetized and the mesenteric blood flow was measured by using perivascular ultrasonic Doppler-flowmeter. The animals were then exsanguinated, the spleen, liver, and kidneys were isolated for histopathological examination. Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), glutathione, and myeloperoxidase activity were determined in the liver samples. Endotoxin significantly decreased the mesenteric blood flow and glutathione levels in liver while TBARS and myeloperoxidase activity were increased. However, taurine did not block the deleterious effects of endotoxin nor it did attenuate the histopathological injury. Therefore, we concluded that endotoxin-induced organ injury via free radicals is resistant to blockade by taurine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity / drug effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endotoxins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Endotoxins / toxicity
  • Free Radicals / metabolism
  • Glutathione / analysis
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Mesentery / blood supply
  • Mesentery / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Multiple Organ Failure / pathology
  • Multiple Organ Failure / physiopathology*
  • Peroxidase / analysis
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / pathology
  • Sepsis / physiopathology*
  • Taurine / pharmacology*
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Endotoxins
  • Free Radicals
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Taurine
  • Peroxidase
  • Glutathione