The restorative effect of taurine on experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Abstract

Our objective was to explore the restorative effect of taurine on experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, 12 in each group: the normal group was fed standard rat diet; the model group and the treatment group were both fed a high-fat rat diet for 12 weeks, and the rats in the treatment group were simultaneously injected with taurine subcutaneously for 8 weeks. Hepatic histological change was observed; TNF-alpha and TGF-beta(1) protein expression was identified by immunohistochemistry; mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta(1), type I procollagen, and adiponectin was measured by RT-PCR; body weight, weight gain, liver weight, and liver index were measured; and biochemical parameters monitored included serum transaminases, serum lipids, fasting plasma glucose, and hepatic level of oxidative stress. Rats in the model group showed a significant increase in liver weight, liver index, serum transaminase activities, serum triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, and oxidative stress; the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta(1), and type I procollagen increased, whereas the expression of adiponectin decreased significantly, compared with that in the normal group. The typical hepatic lesions of NASH were observed histologically in the model group. Taurine treatment resulted in a significant decrease in liver weight, liver index, serum transaminase activities, serum triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, and oxidative stress; the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta(1), and type I procollagen decreased, but the expression of adiponectin increased significantly, compared with that in the model group. Histological improvement was observed in the treatment group. In conclusion, taurine could inhibit lipid peroxidation, improve lipid and glucose metabolism, decrease synthesis of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta(1), promote synthesis of adiponectin, and have a restorative effect on experimental NASH.

• Authors: Si-Wen Chen, Yue-Xiang Chen, Jian Shi, Yong Lin, Wei-Fen Xie
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 51 Issue 12 Pg. 2225-34 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 0163-2116 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17080243 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adiponectin
• Blood Glucose
• Procollagen
• RNA, Messenger
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1
• Triglycerides
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Taurine
• Transaminases
• Glucose

Topics

• Adiponectin (genetics, metabolism)
• Animals
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Fatty Liver (metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Hepatitis (metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Liver (drug effects, pathology)
• Male
• Organ Size (drug effects)
• Procollagen (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Taurine (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Transaminases (blood)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (genetics, metabolism)
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics, metabolism)