title: Taurine and niacin offer a novel therapeutic modality in prevention of chemically-induced pulmonary fibrosis in hamsters.
abstract: The bleomycin (BL)-hamster model of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is generally associated with increased lung lipid peroxidation, measured as malondialdehyde equivalent (MDAE), calcium and collagen content; and superoxide dismutase (SOD), prolyl hydroxylase (PH) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activities. We found that combined treatment with taurine in drinking water (1%) and niacin IP (250 mg/kg) daily, significantly decreased the BL-induced increases in lung MDAE and calcium content, and SOD, PH and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activities. This treatment almost completely ameliorated the BL-induced increases in the lung collagen accumulation as well. Findings of a similar nature were also demonstrated when taurine (2.5%) and niacin (2.5%) were supplemented in the diet of hamsters used in the same BL model of IPF. The diet supplemented with taurine (2.5%), niacin (2.5%), or taurine (2.5%) + niacin (2.5%) also reduced AD-induced increases in lung collagen accumulation, phospholipids, MDAE and SOD activity. It was concluded that diet supplemented with taurine and/or niacin would completely or partially ameliorate chemically-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of California, Davis 95616.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013654:Taurine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D013654:Taurine; D009525:Niacin; D000638:Amiodarone