Therapeutic effect of taurine administration on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury.

Abstract

To determine the therapeutic efficacy of taurine administration on liver injury, the effect of taurine on hepatic lipid peroxide level following carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) administration was investigated. To CCl₄ intoxicated rats (CCl₄, 2 ml/kg, i.p.), 3 ml of a 10% aqueous solution of taurine was administered after CCl₄ administration (at 12, 16, and 20hr after), and rats were sacrificed at 24 hr after CCl₄ administration in order to estimate the level of lipid peroxides in the liver. The decrease of hepatic lipid peroxidation induced by CCl₄ was noticed in the taurine-treated rats. Taurine had no effect on mixed function oxidase activity in hepatic microsomes as well as no effect on hepatic antioxidant content in the CCl₄-intoxicated rats. Hepatic taurine content decreased significantly 12 and 24 hr after CCl₄ administration, whereas oral administration of taurine to CCl₄-intoxicated rats was able to protect these rats from hepatic taurine depletion. These results suggest that hepatic taurine may play a critical role on the protection of hepatocytes against hepatotoxins such as CCl₄ and the administration of taurine may be useful in the treatment of hepatotoxininduced liver injury.