Protective effects of taurine on myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol in rats

Objective To investigate the protective effects of taurine (Tau) on myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol (Iso) in rats and its mechanism. Methods Myocardial fibrosis model of rats was built by injection of Iso for 7 days[5 mg/(kg·d), sc]. From day 2～15, rats were treated with Tau 80, 160 and 320 mg/(kg·d)ip, the NS control and Iso model group received saline injection. On day 16, animals were anesthesiaed by chloral hydrate monitored in terms of myocardial indexes (heart weight/body weight, HW /BW and left ventricular weight/body weight, LVW /BW); the contents of hydroxyproline(Hyp)and malondialdehyde(MDA)、the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)in left ventricle was assayed with spectrophotometry respectively. The contents of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and creatine kinase(CK)in blood serum were detected with automatic biochemistry analyzer. Results Compared with the NS control group, the myocardial indexes, the level of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in left ventricle were markedly increased and the activity of superoxide dismutase in left ventricle were decreased,the contents of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in blood serum were markedly increased in Iso model group; treatment with Tau 80, 160, 320 mg/(kg·d)significantly reduced the myocardial index and content of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in left ventricle, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase in left ventricle, reduced the contents of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in blood serum. Conclusion Tau can alleviate myocardial fibrosis induced by Iso in rats, this effect may be related to inhibiting collagenous formation, rejecting hyperoxidation of lipid, eliminating the oxygen free radicals and decreasing myocardial creatase.