Abstract

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the immunosuppressor which is most frequently used in transplant surgery and in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress has been implicated as one of the possible mechanisms of CsA-induced hepatotoxicity. The present investigation examined the ability of taurine as an antioxidant to protect against CsA-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. CsA hepatotoxicity was induced by subcutaneous injection of CsA at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by reduced serum total protein level and increased serum levels of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST). CsA treatment increased lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) content and activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the rat liver. Taurine administration (1% in the drinking water) for 3 days before and concurrently during CsA injections improved liver functions, as indicated by decline of serum transaminases and GGT levels and elevation of serum total protein. Moreover, taurine significantly reduced hepatic TBARS and increased GSH content and catalase and GSH-Px activities in the hepatic tissue. These results indicate that taurine has a protective action against CsA hepatotoxicity and suggest that taurine may find clinical application against a variety of toxins where cellular damage is a consequence of reactive oxygen species.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.