Effect of taurine on skeletal muscle mitochondria in rats subjected to repeated exhausting exercises

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effect of taurine on the skeletal muscle mitochondria in rats subjected to repeated exhausting exercises on a treadmill. Methods Thirty SD male rats were randomized into a quiet control (QC) group ( n =10),an exhausting exercise control (EEC) group ( n =10) and an exhausting exercise plus taurine treatment (TT) group ( n =10).QC and EEC groups were fed with normal saline (dose:0.8 mL/kg) once per day;,TT group was fed with taurine (concentration:200 mg/L; dose:200 mg/kg) once per day.The EEC and TT groups were fed continuously for 15 days pre-exercise and 30 days during the exhausting exercises.The rats in the QC group were subjected to no exercise other than the feeding for 45 days as in the other 2 groups.After repeated exhausting running on a treadmill in a course of 30 days,all the rats were sacrificed to harvest the quadriceps femoris muscles.The body mass of the rats and the net mass of the quadriceps femoris were measured.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology of the mitochondria. Results The body mass of the rats and the net mass of the quadriceps femoris were obviously lower in the EEC group than in the other 2 groups.The myofilaments in the quadriceps femoris were deranged,the mitochondria swelling and the vacuole degenerated in the EEC group.The ultra-structures of the quadriceps femoris and mitochondria were roughly normal in the TT group as in the QC group. Conclusion Oral taurine administration can protect and improve the mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscles in rats taking repeated exhausting exercises,reducing necrosis and loss of the skeletal muscles caused by the exhausting exercises. Key words: Muscle, skeletal; Mitochondria; Ultrastructure; Taurine; Exhausting exercise