NEUROPROTECTION EFFECT OF TAURINE IN YOUNG RATS AND THE MECHANISM INVOLVED

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of neuroprotection produced by taurine supplement on brain in young rats. Methods: In vitro, taurine treatment or co-treatment with sodium selenite that produced significant neuronal apoptosis was used in cultured cortical neurons to examine the neuroprotection effect using MTT assay and DNA fragmentation electrophoresis. In vivo, female weanling Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, eight rats per group. The treated groups were fed on diets with different contents of taurine respectively, and the control group was fed on taurine unsupplemented diets. The experiment lasted five weeks. Results: Taurine significantly increased neuronal survival in dose-dependent manner. The typical DNA ladder pattern could be prevented by taurine. Taurine could elevate brain wet weight, and significantly increased the level of taurine, protein and AChE in brain. Conclusion: It is proposed that the neuroprotection effect of taurine could be achieved by modulating expression of related genes and blocking neuronal apoptosis.