Taurine Inhibits Development Of Atherosclerotic Lesions In apolipoprotein E‐Deficient Mice^‡

Abstract

1. The effects of taurine on the development of atherosclerotic lesions were investigated in apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice, an animal model with severe hypercholesterolaemia and extensive atherosclerosis. These mice were fed a normal laboratory chow containing 2% taurine for 12 weeks. 2. Serum total cholesterol was significantly elevated after 12 weeks treatment with taurine. This elevation was due to increases in very low-density lipoprotein- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. 3. Despite such effects on serum lipoproteins, analysis using en face oil red O staining revealed that taurine reduced the area of arterial lipid accumulation by 28%, as measured quantitatively as an index of atherosclerosis. Histological examination also demonstrated a decrease in the size of aortic lesions in taurine-treated mice. 4. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in apoE-deficient mice were higher than in normolipidaemic C57BL/6J mice. Serum TBARS levels were significantly decreased by 12 weeks treatment of apoE-deficient mice with taurine. 5. Thus, taurine prevents the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, independently of serum cholesterol levels, and the results suggest that the anti-oxidative effects of taurine are related to its anti-atherosclerotic actions.

High Methionine and Cholesterol Diet Abolishes Endothelial Relaxation

“…However, in these earlier studies, the effects of high plasma cholesterol on the development of aortic atherosclerosis, as described in this study, have been previously investigated using alternate approaches, such as the oil-red O technique. 18,19 However, these en face preparations of tissue do not allow for the volumetric quantification of plaque or the encroachment on the lumen, nor do they detect intimal proliferation. Other investigators have quantitated atherosclerosis formation in paraffin-embedded sections, although this method of processing causes variable degrees of tissue shrinkage and thus complicates the interpretation of the end results.…”

Effect of a Taurine Treatment on the Regression of Existing Atherosclerotic Lesions in Rabbits Fed on a High-cholesterol Diet

“…10,17,18) On the other hand, there is no information in the literature as to whether taurine has any regressive effect on existing atherosclerotic lesions and oxidative stress in experimental animals fed on an HC diet. However, a taurine treatment has been observed to decrease existing aortic lesions and lipid accumulation, as well as lipid peroxide levels in the plasma and aorta without affecting the plasma cholesterol levels in apo-E deficient mice, 19) spontaneously hyperlipidaemic (SHL) mice 20) and Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHLL) rabbits, 21) all animal models with severe hypercholesterolemia and extensive atherosclerosis.…”

Protective effect of taurine on diabetic rat endothelial dysfunction

“…Sethupathy et al (22) demonstrated that the oxidant activity, measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), was significantly less in the plasma of male Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg/ day taurine for six months (1.6 nmol/mL) compared to rats fed a high-fat diet without taurine supplementation (2.4 nmol/mL). Serum TBARS were also significantly lowered in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice after 2% taurine supplementation for 12 weeks (8.6 nmol/mL), compared to mice without taurine supplementation (11.1 nmol/mL) (13). Taurine is also known to react with hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a powerful oxidant, to create a more stable taurine chloramine (TauCl) in vivo to block the production of proinflammatory cytokines.…”