Taurine Research Articles

Creatine and taurine mixtures alleviate depressive-like behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster and mice via regulating Akt and ERK/BDNF pathways

We investigated the antidepressant effect of creatine (CRE) and taurine (TAU) mixtures on behavioural changes and biomarkers in stress-induced depression in Drosophila melanogaster and a mouse model. Following CRE/TAU mixture administration in the Drosophila model, depression-like state induced by vibration, locomotion, climbing activity, and survival rate were measured. The normal stress (NS) group demonstrated decreased movement than the control (CON) group; movements in the CRE/TAU-treated group (particularly 0.15/0.5%) returned to the CON levels. Antidepressant effects of CRE/TAU mixtures were confirmed in a depressive mouse model induced by chronic mild stress. In behavioural assessments, movement and sucrose preference of the CRE/TAU group increased to a similar level as in the positive control group; hippocampal catecholamine and serotonin levels increased significantly. Stress-related hormones (adrenocorticotropic and corticotropin-releasing hormones) and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) increased in the NS group but significantly decreased in the CRE/TAU-treated group. Brain signalling protein expression ratio of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Akt, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK)/ERK, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) significantly increased in the CRE/TAU-treated group. These results indicate that CRE/TAU-induced antidepressant effects are associated with increased behavioural patterns and downregulation of stress hormones and cytokines, mediated through Akt and ERK/BDNF pathways in vertebrate models.

Taurine Supplementation Increases Post-Exercise Lipid Oxidation at Moderate Intensity in Fasted Healthy Males.

Based on the fact that taurine can increase lipid metabolism, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of acute taurine supplementation on lipid oxidation levels in healthy young men after a single bout of fasting aerobic exercise. A double-blind, acute, and crossover study design was conducted. Seventeen men (age 24.8 ± 4.07y; BMI: 23.9 ± 2.57 kg/m²) participated in the present study. Different doses of taurine (TAU) (3 g or 6 g) or placebo were supplemented 90 min before a single bout of fasting aerobic exercise (on a treadmill at 60% of VO2 max). The subjects performed three trials, and each one was separated by seven days. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the exercise protocol of each test to analyze plasma levels of glycerol and taurine. Lipid and carbohydrate oxidation were determined immediately after exercise for 15 min by indirect calorimetry. We observed that TAU supplementation (6 g) increased lipid oxidation (38%) and reduced the respiratory coefficient (4%) when compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). However, no differences in lipid oxidation were observed between the different doses of taurine (3 g and 6 g). For glycerol concentrations, there were no differences between trials. Six grams of TAU supplementation 90 min before a single bout of aerobic exercise in a fasted state was sufficient to increase the lipid oxidation post-exercise in healthy young men.

Non-invasive Amino Acid Profiling of Embryo Culture Medium Using HPLC Correlates With Embryo Implantation Potential in Women Undergoing in vitro Fertilization.

This study aimed to determine the correlation between amino acid profiling of a 3-day-old embryo culture medium and embryo implantation potential in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The data of 98 patients who received IVF treatment in our hospital from December 2015 to February 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The 98 patients were grouped into a pregnant group (gemellary pregnancy), a non-pregnant group (non-pregnancy), and a blank control group. The amino acids from a 3-day-old embryo culture medium and blank control medium were collected and were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC results showed that amino acids including aspartate (ASP), serine (SER), glycine (GLY), histidine (HIS), taurine (TAU), arginine (ARG), threonine (THR), alanine (ALA), and proline (PRO) were detected in the 3-day-old embryo culture medium and blank control medium. There are significant differences between the pregnant group and non-pregnant group in peak height (H)-SER, surface area (S)-ASP, S-SER, S-HIS, and S-ALA. The discrimination analysis according to the peak height and peak area of amino acids revealed that the prediction rate of the pregnant group, non-pregnant group, and blank control group were 82.7, 95.7, and 100%. Further, by using the principal component analysis, we found that the prediction rate in these three groups were 90.4, 91.3, and 100%. Our data may suggest that using amino acid concentrations for principal component analysis and discriminant analysis has high accuracy in predicting the relationship between amino acid fingerprint and embryo implantation potential.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/taurine biocomposite on screen printed electrode: Non-enzymatic cholesterol biosensor

A simple approach towards Cholesterol (Ch) detection is investigated here exploiting non-enzymatic electrochemical detection route using poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with Taurine (TA) coated on the Screen Printed Electrode (SPE). The sulphonic acid in TA forms electrostatic interaction with polymer backbone chain, exhibiting excellent stability, high dispersity and large surface area of sensing matrix to have adsorption with Ch, which in turn improves its electrochemical performance. Scanning electron microscope studies and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the PEDOTnanopheres were successfully grafted on TA flakes. Further, the prepared PEDOT/TA composite has been investigated for the electrochemical detection of Ch using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. As a result, the fabricated device shows a wider linear response in the 3 µM to 1 mM concentration range with the detection limit is as low as 0.95 µM (S/N = 3σ/b), which is several orders of magnitude below the clinical cut-off level of 5.17 mM. Moreover, the biosensor exhibited an acceptable reproducibility, good stability and selectivity. The analytical utility provides great promise by demonstrating selective measurement of Ch in egg yolk sample and proposed biosensor may be used for the fabrication of nonenzymatic and redox indicator free cholesterol sensors.

Taurine and hesperidin rescues carbon tetrachloride-triggered testicular and kidney damage in rats via modulating oxidative stress and inflammation

Aims: This study assessed the prophylactic or therapeutic effects of taurine (TR) and/or hesperidin (HES) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute kidney and testicular injury in rats.Main methods: Rats were randomly divided into nine experimental groups including control; corn oil; CCl4; HES/CCl4; TR/CCl4; HES + TR/CCl4; CCl4/HES; CCl4/TR; and CCl4/HES + TR groups. CCl4 was intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 2 ml /kg b.w. HES and TR were orally gavaged twice weekly 100 mg/kg b.w. for four weeks. Kidney function, inflammatory response, sexual hormones, and oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Histomorphological and immune-histochemical studies of the inflammatory marker nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB) in renal and testicular tissues were performed.Key findings: The results showed that the TR and/or HES treatment significantly suppressed CCl4 induced rise of urea, uric acid, potassium, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. However, significant restoration of sodium, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone was apparent in CCl4 exposed rats received HES and/or TR. Also, the HES and/or TR treatment significantly rescues CCl4 induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, the HES and/or TR dosing significantly repaired the CCl4 evoked altered renal and testicular architecture and suppressed NF-κB immunoexpression. Notably, alleviating CCl4 induced renal and testicular damage was more effective in the prophylactic groups than the therapeutic groups. Also, most of the estimated parameters of the HES + TR group did not significantly vary from those of single TR or HES.Significance: In conclusion, HES or TR could efficiently guard against CCl4 nephro-and reprotoxic effects, but both bioactive combinations afford only a limited synergistic outcome.

SUN-LB90 Taurine Reverses Protein Malnutrition-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction of Pancreatic Vasculature

Background: Pancreatic islets are highly vascularized and there is a correlation between endocrine pancreas function and pancreas perfusion. Protein malnutrition during early stages of development predispose to cardiovascular diseases, impaired insulin secretion and, type 2 diabetes. However, it is unknown if there are alterations in the pancreatic vasculature in response to malnutrition. Taurine (TAU) supplementation has been suggested as antihypertensive and improves endothelial function and insulin secretion in cardiometabolic disorders. Here, we investigated the effect of TAU in the vasorelaxation and endothelium-derived factors of the lieno-pancreatic artery from protein malnourished mice. Because lieno-pancreatic artery provides blood supply to pancreatic splenic lobe, a protective effect of TAU may result in cardiometabolic benefits. Methods: Post-weaned male C57Bl/6 mice fed a normal- (14%, NP) or a low-protein (6%, LP) diet for 90 days. Concomitantly, half of LP mice received 2.5% TAU in drinking water. Lieno-pancreatic artery (internal diameter ~ 160 µm) was isolated and concentration-response relaxation curves to acetylcholine (ACh), nitric oxide (NO)-donor (SNP), or hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-donor (NaHS) were performed. The involvement of NO and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) in ACh-induced relaxation was assessed using L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) or KCl (to attenuate K+ efflux), respectively. Protein expression was evaluated by Western-blot; NO and H2S production by DAF-2A and WSP-1 fluorescence, respectively. Results: Endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh was reduced in lieno-pancreatic artery from LP compared with NP group. Either KCl or L-NAME reduced ACh-induced relaxation, but only KCl abolished differences between LP and NP, suggesting that EDH rather than NO is involved in the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of LP. In accordance, relaxation to SNP, NO production, and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression were not altered in lieno-pancreatic artery of LP group compared to NP. Because H2S has been demonstrated to have EDH activity in several blood vessels we investigated this pathway. H2S production and NaHS-induced relaxation were both reduced in lieno-pancreatic artery of LP group compared with NP. TAU treatment reversed the impaired relaxation to ACh and to NaHS, as well as significantly increased H2S production in lieno-pancreatic artery of LP group. Conclusion: Protein malnutrition resulted in endothelial dysfunction of lieno-pancreatic artery associated with an impaired production and relaxation to H2S, which was restored by TAU. Therefore, beneficial effects of TAU on lieno-pancreatic artery vasodilatory function may result in improved pancreatic islet blood flow highlighting the potential of TAU for vasculo-metabolic protection.Funding: FAPESP, CAPES.

Comparative characterization of bacterial communities in digestive glands of Crassostrea gigas fed with different microalgal diets

The digestive glands of marine molluscs are colonized by a large number of microorganisms, and the structure and function of bacterial community could be severely affected by diets. Microalgae is the main food and energy sources for bivalves, while the impact of phytoplankton composition on the bacterial community as well as the health of bivalves are still not well understood. In the present study, the bacterial communities in digestive glands of oyster Crassostrea gigas fed with different diets were compared based on the high-throughput sequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene. There were significant differences of bacterial composition rather than diversity in digestive glands between the oysters fed with diatom dominant diet (Group N, mainly made up of Nitzschia closterium f.minutissima) and dinoflagellate dominant diet (Group P, mainly made up of Prorocentrum micans). The abundances of Prevotella, Vibronaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Polaribacter were significantly higher in Group N (p < 0.05), and the abundances of Streptophyta and Acidimicrobiales were significantly higher in Group P (p < 0.05). According to the functional prediction results, the bacterial community in Group P displayed weaker capacities of Kdo2-lipid A biosynthesis as well as taurine degradation, and a stronger capacity of glycolysis compared with the bacterial community in Group N. The higher phylogenetic clustering degree of the bacterial community in Group P (p < 0.05) indicated the higher host selectivity on bacteria. These results suggested that the change of phytoplankton composition of diet would have large effects on bacterial communities in oyster digestive glands. The bacterial community in digestive glands of oysters living in dinoflagellate dominant waters would produce harmful impact to hosts. The present study provided a new perspective to explore the potential mechanism for the massive mortalities of oysters.

Comparative Effects of Taurine, Vitamin E and Nuclea latifolia (Stem‐Bark) Extract on Object Regonition and Anxiety on Wistar Rats Subjected to Water Immersion Restraint Stress

Stress is the feeling of emotional or physical tension, that may arise from any event or thought that makes person become frustrated, angry, or nervous. Anxiety and cognitive impairment can be normal during stressful situations. The comparative effect of Taurine, Vitamin E, and Nuclea Latifolia (Stem back) extract object recognition and anxiety in wistar rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress was carried out. Total of twenty four rats weighing between 100g – 120 g were used for this study. The animals were divided into four groups before the commencement of the experiment as follows: Group A: Serves as the control and received 1ml/kg distilled water for three weeks. Group B: Received 0.2 ml/kg vitamin E for three weeks. Group C: Received 200 mg/kg taurine (TAU) for three weeks and Group D: Received 200 mg/kg of Nauclea latifolia (NL) (stem bark) extract for three weeks. At the end of the three weeks, animals were starved for 24 hours before the commencement of the stress procedure. They were anesthetized using chloroform vapour after which they were restraint on a wooden plank (25 by 19 cm) with the four arms anchored horizontally and were immersed into water up to the xiphoid level for two hours. After the stress procedure, object recognition task and anxiety behaviours were assessed. The result of the training phase on object recognition showed that, TAU group explored the novel object more (64.92 %) followed by Vit. E group (63.90 %). The NL group has the least percentage (52.75 %) in exploring the novel object that was presented to the animals. During the test phase, it was noticed that, the TAU together with Vit. E groups showed similar behaviour with that of the training phase as they explored the Novel object presented to them more (71.52 %) and (70.05 %) respectively. On the anxiety model, while the Vit. E group shows significant increase in the number of entries into the open arm, the Tau group revealed significant decrease in the number of entries into the closed arm. Vit. E, Tau and NL groups showed significant increase in time spent by the animals in the open arm. The researched therefore, showed that Taurine and Vitamin E improved object recognition in the rats and also inhibited anxiety‐like behavior in Wistar rats that were subjected to water immersion restraint stress.Support or Funding InformationPersonal Funding

Single or combined protective and therapeutic impact of taurine and hesperidin on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic injury in rat.

Currently, hepatic injury due to environmental pollutants extremely threatens human health and elicits great concern. Hence, there is a high global interest to find natural novel formulation products with potent hepatoprotective activity to combat liver disease. Hence, we evaluated the protective or therapeutic effect of hesperidin (HSP) and taurine (TAU), individually and in combination, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatic injury in rats. The pre- or posttreatment by HSP and/or TAU significantly depressed CCl4-induced elevation of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, malondialdehyde, globulins (α1, α2, β, and γ), albumin/globulin ratio, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase levels. Also, the pre- or posttreatment by HSP and/or TAU significantly minimized CCl4-induced reduction of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, and albumin concentrations. Furthermore, the protective or therapeutic administration of HSP and/or TAU markedly restored the CCl4-induced altered hepatic architecture, depleted glycogen, and DNA contents. Notably, alleviating CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was more prominent in the protective groups than the therapeutic groups. More importantly, most of biochemical and histopathological parameters of HSP+TAU did not significantly differ from those of separate TAU or HSP neither before nor after CCl4 exposure. Conclusively, HSP or TAU could be candidate protective agents against CCl4 hepatotoxic impacts but the combination of both bioactive offers only a limited synergistic effect. Graphical abstract.

Taurine induces autophagy and inhibits oxidative stress in mice Leydig cells.

Objectives:This study evaluated taurine (TAU) effects on autophagy, apoptosis and oxidative stress in mice Leydig TM3 cells.Methods:We treated TM3 cells with TAU (100 µg/mL) or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor) for 24 h, and assessed cell viability, testosterone level, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy.Results:The results showed that TAU markedly increased cell viability, testosterone levels, expression of autophagy-related genes and percentage of LC3-II-positive cells. TAU significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased the activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (Catalase) enzymes in the TM3 cells. TAU in the presence of autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) increased oxidative stress and decreased testosterone levels.Conclusion:The results showed that autophagy might be involved in TAU-increased testosterone levels in mice Leydig TM3 cells.

Beneficial role of Taurine on Biochemical Parameters of Diabetic Female Rats

For studying the positive effects of taurine (TAU) on lipid and glucose metabolism. Moreover, the present paper examines the positive roles of glucose and lipid on the correction of oxidative stress diabetes-related complications in alloxan diabetic rats. To acheive the objective of study, 24 of female rats ((Rattus norvegicus) have been used. The division of animals was done in 4 groups (6 each). Diabetes was enhanced by injected intraperitoneally with alloxan at a single dose in body weight; 125 mg/kg. Diabetic rats go through a specific rise (P ≤ 0.05) in the glucose levels, triglyceride, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde and an important noticeable decrease in high-density lipoprotein, glutathione, and albumin. In addition, taurine supplementation caused a significant reduction in the glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein levels. The obtained results revealed that taurine exhibited an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress indices (MDA) and improved antioxidant levels. Taurine could have potential as a pharmaceutical drug for diabetes mellitus (DM), and this invites further studies in this field.

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine and taurine on oxidative stress induced by chronic acetaldehyde administration in rat liver and brain tissues

Aim: Acetaldehyde (AA) is one of the main products of alcohol metabolism. Exposure to AA can occur through ingestion of several dietary products, inhalation of cigarette smoke/automobile exhausts, or contact with cosmetics. AA accumulation causes oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the prooxidant/antioxidant status in rats chronically exposed to AA, and to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and taurine (TAU) on prooxidant/antioxidant balance. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided in the following groups (n=8; each): Control, AA, AA+NAC, AA+TAU. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), diene conjugate (DC), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in liver and brain tissues. Results: AA treatment in drinking water was detected to induce prooxidant state in both liver and brain of rats. NAC treatment decreased AA-induced prooxidant status in both tissues. Although TAU treatment diminished ROS levels, MDA and PC levels remained unchanged in examined tissues of AA-treated rats. NAC and TAU elevated liver and brain GSH levels in AA-treated rats. Conclusion: Chronic AA administration has created a prooxidant condition, and NAC/TAU appears to be useful in suppression of the developed oxidative stress.

Concomitant taurine exposure counteracts ethanol-induced changes in locomotor and anxiety-like responses in zebrafish

Taurine (TAU) is a β-amino sulfonic acid with pleiotropic roles in the brain, including the neuromodulatory activity via GABAergic and glycinergic agonism. This molecule is found at high concentrations in energy drinks and is often mixed with alcohol in beverages. Although TAU has a neuroprotective role in the brain, the putative risks of mixing TAU and EtOH are not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether TAU modulates locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish by using the novel tank and light-dark tests following acute EtOH exposure at anxiogenic and anxiolytic concentrations. Zebrafish were individually exposed to water (control), TAU (42, 150, and 400 mg/L), and EtOH (0.25% (v/v) and 1% (v/v)) both independently and cotreated for 1 h. EtOH 0.25% and TAU produced U-shape anxiolytic-like behavior in the light-dark test, TAU 42 and 400 positively modulated EtOH effects, and TAU 150 exerted a protective effect. All TAU concentrations counteracted EtOH 1%-induced locomotion impairment, as well as the anxiogenic-like behavior. Finally, all TAU concentrations when given independently or cotreated with EtOH 0.25% and 1% decreased the risk assessment of the lit compartment. Principal component analyses revealed that exploration and anxiety-like responses were the main behaviors that contribute to the effects of TAU and EtOH. Overall, we demonstrate that TAU differently modulates EtOH-induced anxiolytic- and anxiogenic-like behaviors depending on the concentration, suggesting a complex mechanism underlying TAU and EtOH interactions.

Protective effect of taurine against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: echocardiographical and histological findings.

Doxorubicin (DOXO) may cause serious cardiotoxic effects that limit its use as an antineoplastic agent. We aimed to evaluate the protective role of taurine (TAU), a beta amino acid with antioxidant activity, against DOXO-induced cardiotoxicity in a rat model. Thirty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400g) were randomized into four groups: control (n = 7, intraperitoneal [ip] saline for 14days), TAU (n = 8, 150mg/kg body weight TAU ip for 14days), DOXO (n = 8, 25mg/kg body weight DOXO ip on 12th, 13th, and 14th days), and DOXO + TAU (n = 8, TAU for 14days and DOXO on 12th, 13th, and 14th days). The left ventricular functions were evaluated on 15th day by echocardiography. The heart tissues were then excised for histological evaluation. In DOXO group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), and mitral lateral annulus (s') velocity were significantly lower, and the left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (LVEDD, LVESD) were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05), indicating a significant deterioration in left ventricular functions. However, in comparison to DOXO group, LVESD, LVEDD, LVEF, FS, and s' were significantly improved in DOXO + TAU group (p < 0.05). On histological evaluation, contrary to the normal cellular structure of cardiomyocytes in control and TAU groups, DOXO group showed increased nuclear or cytoplasmic changes and infiltrative cell proliferation (p < 0.001), which were remarkably reduced in DOXO + TAU group (p < 0.001). TAU treatment has a protective effect against DOXO-induced cardiotoxicity on echocardiographical and histological evaluation. For common use of TAU to prevent DOXO-induced cardiotoxicity, our findings should be confirmed by clinical studies.

EFFECT OF TAURINE ADMINSTRATIONON THE STRUCTURE OF RABBIT TESTES

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of taurine (TAU) on the microscopic structure of rabbit testes, focusing on individual parameters of the seminiferous tubules. We used 5 months old sexually mature male rabbits, which were divided into four experimental groups. Rabbits from the experimental groups E1, E2, and E3 received taurine dissolved in drinking water (doses 321.675 mg/rabbit/day, 643.35 mg/rabbit/day and 965.025 mg/rabbit/day) for four weeks. To compare the results of our experiment a control group of rabbits (KK) was created without any TAU administration. We analyzed the following morphometric parameters: the diameter of the seminiferous tubules (μm), the height of the epithelium and the diameter of the lumen of the seminiferous tubules (μm), the area (μm2) and the perimeter (μm) of the seminiferous tubules. Based on our results, we have found that the oral administration of TAU caused a significant increase (P

THE IMPACT OF 2-AMINOETHANESULFONIC ACID, GUARANINE METHYL THEOBROMINE 1, 3, 7-TRIMETHYLXANTHINE THEINE AND/OR ISOBUTYLPHENYL PROPIONIC ACID ON MASCULINE FECUNDITY, AND MORPHOPATHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN RATS

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of caffeine (CAF), taurine (TUR), and ibuprofen (IBF) consumption on the masculine fecundity in rats and fetuses development.&#x0D; Methods: The 1st group was kept as a normal control received distilled water. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th groups received orally 250 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 270 mg/kg of TUR, CAF, and IBF, respectively. In addition, the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th groups received TUR with CAF, TUR with IBF, CAF with IBF, and TUR, CAF, IBF combination, for 45 days. Blood samples were taken to determine testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels and oxidation levels. Moreover, in testes, malondialdehyde and nitrite/nitrate were estimated. Besides, the abnormality of sperms, sperm counts, and percentage of sperm motilities was characterized. These masculines were allowed to mate with untreated masculine rats to determine the rate of pregnancy and study any malformation in their fetuses.&#x0D; Results: The study revealed that each of CAF and/or IBF decreased the weights of fetuses, as well as sperm counts and motilities significantly. Besides, percentages of head and tail abnormalities were increased in CAF and/or IBF. The histopathological examination revealed the presence of marked degenerative changes in testes in CAF and/or IBF-treated groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: CAF and IBF have a teratogenic effect on spermatozoa and masculine fecundity, whereas TUR almost improved undesirable impacts induced by IBF or/and CAF.

Quality Assessment of the Preanalytical Workflow in Liquid Biobanking: Taurine as a Serum-Specific Quality Indicator for Preanalytical Process Variations.

The scientific impact of translational biomedical research largely depends on the availability of high-quality biomaterials. However, evidence-based and robust quality indicators (QIs) covering the most relevant preanalytical variations are still lacking. The aim of this study was to identify and validate a QI suitable for assessing time-to-centrifugation (TTC) delays in human liquid biospecimens originating from both healthy and diseased individuals. Serum and plasma samples with varying TTCs were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in a pilot cohort of healthy individuals to identify a suitable QI candidate. Taurine (TAU), as a TTC QI candidate, was validated in healthy individuals and patients with rheumatologic and cardiologic diseases, considering the (1) preanalytical handling temperature, (2) platelet count, and (3) postcentrifugation delay. For discrimination of high TTC (TTC >60 minutes) from low TTC serum specimens, a probability calculation tool was developed (Triple-T-cutoff-model). TTC-dependent changes in healthy individuals were observed for amino acids, particularly TAU. Validation of the TAU levels in an independent cohort of healthy individuals revealed a time-dependent increase in serum, but not in plasma, for a TTC delay of 30-240 minutes. TAU increases were dependent on the handling temperature and platelet count and volume. By contrast, no changes in TAU concentrations were observed for additional postcentrifugation delays. Validation of TAU and the Triple-T-cutoff-model, in rheumatologic/cardiologic patient collectives, allowed the discrimination of samples with TTC ≤60 min/>60 min with estimated AUROC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) values of 89% [78%-100%]/86% [71%-100%] and 91% [79%-100%]/84% [68%-100%], respectively. Considering the preanalytical handling temperature and platelet count and volume, TAU and the Triple-T-cutoff-model represent reliable QIs for TTC >60 minutes in serum samples from healthy individuals and selected rheumatologic/cardiologic patients. However, further studies in larger patient collectives with various diseases are needed to assess the robustness and potential of the QIs presented in this article as biobanking quality assurance/quality control tools to support high-quality biomedical research.

Nutrient digestibility, digestive enzymes activity, bile drainage alterations and plasma metabolites of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) feed high plant protein diets supplemented with taurine and methionine

The supplementation effect of a high plant protein diet with methionine and taurine on nutrient digestibility, digestive enzymes activity, plasma and intestine bile acid content, and plasma metabolites was assessed in meagre juveniles. A control (CT) diet was formulated with 42% crude protein and 18% lipids, and including only 10% fishmeal, corresponding to 18% of the dietary protein level. Three other diets were formulated similar to the control but supplemented with 0.26% methionine (MET), 1.0% taurine (TAU), or 0.26% Met plus 1.0% Tau (MET+TAU), in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Final dietary Met levels were 0.75 and 1.0%, and Tau levels were 0.10 and 1.20%. Diets were fed to triplicate groups of 103 ± 21.2 g fish, twice a day, to apparent satiation. Fish were assembled in fiberglass tanks (60 L of water capacity), each one with feces settling column. Dietary Met supplementation increased apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, lipids, and energy while dietary Tau supplementation increased lipids digestibility. Lipase activity was not affected by dietary methionine level, but it was higher in fish fed the taurine supplemented diet at the higher methionine level. Proteases and amylases activities were not affected by diet composition. Total bile acid in plasma and anterior intestine increased with dietary Tau supplementation. Dietary Tau supplementation also increased plasmatic levels of cholesterol, total proteins, and triglycerides. Overall, results of this study indicate that dietary methionine supplementation improved diet digestibility and that dietary taurine supplementation improved lipid digestibility and positively affected lipid metabolism in meagre.

Studies of the Corneocytary Pathway Across the Stratum Corneum. Part I: Diffusion of Amino Acids Into the Isolated Corneocytes.

Amino acids (AAs), important constituents of natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) of the skin are decreased in diseased conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. No study so far investigated the uptake of AAs into isolated corneocytes (COR). The present study was performed using 19 AAs, including taurine (TAU), to measure their amount diffused into the COR and binding of these AAs to keratin. Incubation of alanine, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamine, glutamic acid, histidine, proline, serine and TAU with the isolated COR showed uptake after 24 h of 51.6, 95.4, 98.6, 94.1, 95.6, 90.1, 94.6, 72.9 and 57.8 %, respectively, into the COR but no binding with keratin. Uptake of TAU was validated by time dependent in-vitro diffusion models 'without COR and 'with COR'. The time dependent curve fitting showed that in in-vitro diffusion model 'without COR' there was no change in the total concentration of TAU until 72 hours, while in diffusion model 'with COR' the total conc. decreased to 37.8 % after 72 hours. The Pearson's correlation coefficient 'r' between the conc. curves of both in-vitro diffusion models was -0.54 that was an evidence of significant amount of TAU uptake by the COR. AAs as part of the NMFs have a great potential to be diffused into the COR. This property of the AAs can be employed in further dermatological research on diseased or aged skin conditions with NMFs deficiency.

Effect of taurine on the antioxidant capacity and ATP activity of skeletal muscle in rats with exhaustive exercise

Objective To explore the effect of taurine on the activity of SOD, MDA, Na+ -K+ -ATP enzyme and Bax/Bcl-2 in skeletal muscle of rats after exhaustive exercise. Methods Thirty male SD rats(6 months old) were randomly divided into normal group, control group and taurine group, with 10 rats in each group.The normal group was given routine feeding for 1 week, adaptive training for 3 days, without applying other measures.The control group was given routine feeding for 1 week, after adaptive training for 3 days underwent exhaustive exercise for 2 days.The taurine group was given 200mg/kg taurine gavage daily on the basis of the control group.The activity of SOD, MDA, Na+ -K+ -ATP and Bax/Bcl-2 were measured in the skeletal muscle after 2 days exhaustive exercise. Results After 2 days exhaustive exercise, the SOD concentration in skeletal muscle of the control group was (146.58±13.42)U/mg prot, which was lower than that in the taurine group[(143.81±15.93)U/mg prot] (t=2.519, P<0.05). The MDA concentration in the skeletal muscle of the control group was (1.97±0.20)nmol/mg prot, which was higher than that in the taurine group [(1.22±0.19)nmol/mg prot] (t=2.356, P<0.05). The ratio of SOD/MDA in the control group was (60.86±20.38), which was lower than that in the taurine group [(120.87±23.51)] (t=4.071, P<0.05). The activity of Na+ -K+ -ATP in the control group was (2.42±0.67)U/mg prot, which was lower than that in the taurine group [(5.74±1.15)U/mg prot] (t=3.905, P<0.05). The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the control group was (1.62±0.17), which was higher than that in the taurine group [(0.96±0.14)] (t=3.419, P<0.05). Conclusion Taking taurine before exhaustive exercise can increase the ability of scavenging free radicals, reduce the production of oxidative stress products and protect the activity of Na+ -K+ -ATP enzyme.It is benefit for maintain the stability of cell environment and prevent skeletal muscle injury. Key words: Taurine; Exercise test; Muscle fibers, skeletal; Oxidative coupling; Adenosine triphosphate; Rats