Propylthiouracil-Induced Liver Injury in Mice and the Protective Role of Taurine

Abstract

Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a thionamide drug used in the management of hyperthyroidism in human. On the other hands, several cases of hepatotoxicity, hepatic failure and even death have been reported after PTU administration. No specific protective agent has been developed against this complication yet. Taurine is a sulfur containing amino acid which its beneficial effects in liver tissue has been reported in previous studies. This study was designed to investigate the effect of taurine on PTU‑induced liver injury. Methods: Mice received PTU (100 mg/kg, oral) and different doses of taurine (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, i.p, administered 2 hours after PTU) and markers of liver injury were monitored. Results: Acute exposure to PTU caused hepatotoxicity in mice as evidenced by increase in plasmatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT), occurrence of significant lipid peroxidation, and hepatic glutathione depletion. The mentioned changes were endorsed by histopathological lesions of liver which were mainly manifested as pre-portal inflammation. Taurine administration (500 and 1000 mg/kg, i.p) resulted in reduction of lipid peroxidation, showed rebalancing effect on liver GSH level, and normalized plasma ALT. Taurine administration didn’t affect PTU-induced inflammatory cell aggregation in liver. Conclusion: In view of these results, taurine seems to exert some beneficial effects against PTU‑induced liver injury.