Effect of taurine on proliferation and apoptosis of rat mesangjal cells cultured in vitro

Objective To investigate the effect of taurine on proliferation and apoptosis of rat mesangial cells cultured in vitro and explore its possible mechanism. Methods Rat mesangial cells were incubated with different concentration of taurine. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Form of apoptosis was examined by vital staining of alcidine orange. The expression of c-jun and c-fos was determined by immunocytochemistry and computed video text analysis system. Results Administration of 5 ~ 50 mmol/L taurine into culture medium had no loxicity to mesangial cells, but could significantly inhibit mesangial cells proliferation in dose-dependent manner, subsequently increased the cells in Go/Gi phase and decreased the cells in S phase. In addition, turine could markedly inhibit the expression of c-jun and c-fos( P 0. 01), but it didn't induce mesangial cells apoptosis. Conclusions Taurine can significantly inhibit raesangial cells proliferation and make it arrest in Go/Gi phase, but it doesn't induce the cell apoptsis. The inhibitory effect of taurine on mesangial cells might be related to its inhibition on c-jun and c-fos expression.