Neuroprotective effect of taurine on focal cerebral ischemia in rats

AIM To observe the protective effect of taurine on focal cerebral ischemia in rats. METHODS Male SD rats were divided at random into three groups, i.e. sham-operated, control and treatment group respectively. Before ischemia impairment, taurine(250 mg·kg -1·d -1)was administrated ip for one week in treatment group. A nylon suture was inserted into internal carotid artery to occlude the beginning of middle cerebral artery(MCAO). After 3 h permanent occlusion, neurology deficit score was evaluated. At 6 h, all animals were decapitated rapidly to get brain tissue. Brain infarct region was stained by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium(TTC) and the size was measured by AUTOCAD. Contents of malondialdehyde(MDA) and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and activity of superoxide dismetase(SOD) in brain tissue were detected by spectrophotometer. Expressions of iNOS and inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were observed through immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS Compared with the control group:Taurine can ameliorate neurological deficit score and decrease infarct volume induced by MCAO. Taurine improved the activity of SOD, but did not affect NOS activity in the infarct without affecting MDA content after 6 h MCAO. Taurine decreased the positive expression of ICAM-1 significantly in brain slice. CONCLUSION The results suggest that taurine may reduce expression of ICAM-1 and improve activity of SOD, and play an neuroprotective effect against middle cerebral artery occulusion.