The effect of taurine on leukocyte functions in endotoxemia

SUMMARYOur aim was to investigate the respiratory burst activity of neutrophils stimulated by endotoxin invitro, and the effect of taurine, an antioxidant amino acid, on neutrophil antibactericidal andantiinflammatory functions after its application with endotoxin. We also investigated at whichconcentration taurine did those effects in neutrophils.For this purpose, guinea pigs were divided into four groups (control, taurine, endotoxemia, taurineplus endotoxin), ten in each. We observed that activities of neutrophil MPO-H2O2-Halide systemincreased and neutrophil taurine decreased leading to increase in levels of Tau-Cl and NO2.- and NO3.-after endotoxin administration (4 mg/kg). Taurine was observed to have conflicting effects. Althoughan increase in cellular taurine was anticipated when it was given alone (300 mg/kg), taurine levelsdecreased due to inhibition of taurine transporters leading to the same MPO-H2O2-Halide systemactivity as in endotoxin group. Taurine alone was not effective on NO2.- levels. But when taurine wasadministered with endotoxin, MPO-H2O2-Halide system acitivity decreased compared to that incontrol group. Therefore Tau-CI level decreased miktarı da paralel olarak azaldı.In conclusion, we thought that taurine administration during infection is benefical, but it is notconvenient to use it as an antioxidant in uninfected healty subjects. We also believe that in vivo effectsof taurine may be different from in vitro in a dose-dependent manner.