Protective effects of taurine on retina photochemical damage in rats / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish the animal model of photochemical damage and investigate the protective effects and mechanism of taurine on the retina photochemical damage in rats. Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into normal control group, light damage group and 4% taurine supplementation group. After 15 day cyclic light and 24-hour dark adaptation, the last two groups were exposed to (3000?200) lx transmitted by six cold white lights. After 24-hour exposure, the rats were stayed in darkness. The retinal morphology was detected through light and electron microscope and the retinal function was detected by Scot-ERG. The concentration of MDA and the activity level of SOD/GSH-px were measured. Results In light damage group, the a and b amplitude (Aa/Ab) were significantly decreased, but in taurine group, except the decreased Aa, others were of no significant changes. The retina inner and outer segments were swollen and in disorder after exposure, the outer nuclear layer got thinner than that of control. The mitochondria in light damage group was swollen, but in taurine group changes were less significant. After exposure, the concentration of MDA in retina was markedly increased in light damage group and the activity level of SOD/GSH-px were decreased, but in taurine group MDA slightly increased and SOD/GSH-px was up-regulated but of no significance. Conclusion Dietary supplementation with 4% taurine partially protected photoreceptor from degeneration, which might correlate with the antioxidation and inhibition of free radical character of taurine.