Effect of taurine on arterial, uterine and cardiac PGI 2 and TXA 2 synthesis in the rat

Abstract

The influence of taurine (in drinking water for 6 weeks) on PGI 2 and TXA 2 synthesis by some female rat organs was investigated using radioimmunoassay and platelet antiaggregatory bioassay. Taurine 100 and 200 mg/kg/day increased aortic PGI 2 release from 0.59 ± 0.04 (control) to 0.85 ± 0.05 and 1.01 ± 0.06 ng/mg, respectively and that by the myometrium from 0.24 ± 0.02 (control) to 0.38 ± 0.01 and 0.50 ± 0.04 ng/mg wet tissue, respectively (P < 0.05, n = 6). It did not affect PGI 2 and TXA 2 production in the heart or TXA 2 in the aorta. Taurine 200 mg/kg depressed uterine TXA 2 synthesis from 148.6 ± 9.8 (control) to 85.4 ± 6.8 pg/mg (P < 0.05, n = 6). Furthermore taurine 0.4 and 0.8 mM in vitro stimulated PGI 2 released by the myometrial and aortic tissues from pregnant rats. The stimulant effect of taurine on PGI 2 may be related to its antioxidant effect whereas its inhibitory effect on uterine TXA 2 may result from direction of synthesis towards PGI 2. It is concluded that endogenous taurine may participate in regulation of PGs synthesis and that prostanoids may contribute to its known actions. On broad basis, taurine-induced release of PGI 2 may prove of potential value in those ailments characterised by deficiency in PGI 2 release.