Effect of taurine on kidney injury induced by paraquat poisoning in rats / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To study the effects of taurine at different doses on renal oxidative stress and inflammation induced by paraquat in rats.METHODS: Male SD rats (n=48) were randomly divided into 4 groups: negative control group, paraquat group, paraquat + low-dose taurine group, and paraquat + high-dose taurine group.The serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen were detected by a biochemical analyzer.The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by colorimetry.The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 were detected by ELISA.Renal reactive oxygen species (ROS) was checked by fluorescence probe dihydroethidium (DHE).The protein levels of renal p-P38 MAPK, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK were determined by Western blot.The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β1 was detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS: Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen increased after paraquat poisoning, and decreased after feeding with taurine in poisoned rats, with better result in high-dose taurine group.Taurine reduced the oxidative stress and inflammation in the renal tissue, and also reduced the protein levels of p-JNK, p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 in the kidney of paraquat-poisoned rats.CONCLUSION: Taurine attenuates renal injury induced by paraquat poisoning in rats.The mechanism may be related to reducing renal MAPK activity, oxidative stress and inflammatory response.