English

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of taurine on biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats co-exposed to chlorpyrifos and lead. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of ten rats each. The distilled water (DW) group received distilled water and the soya oil (SO) group received soya oil (1 ml/kg). Other groups were treated sequentially with taurine (50 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (4.25 mg/kg, 1/20th LD50) and lead (233.25 mg/kg, 1/20th LD50), and the last group received taurine (50 mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (4.25 mg/kg) and lead (233.25 mg/kg). The treatments were administered once daily by oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected after 16 weeks. The serum samples were analyzed for proteins, enzymes, urea and creatinine concentration. The hepatic and renal malondialdehyde concentration and activities of hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. The results indicated that chronic co-administration of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and lead acetate (LA) induced biochemical alterations in the rats. It is proposed that taurine antioxidant (TA) decreased the alterations in the biochemical parameters partly through its antioxidant, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective properties. It is concluded that taurine is a useful prophylactic agent against biochemical toxicity in individuals that are constantly co-exposed to chlorpyrifos and lead in the environment.   Key words: Taurine, chlorpyrifos, lead, oxidative stress, biochemical effects.