Taurine inhibits development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
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.
Kondo
Y
Y
Medicinal Research Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Ohmiya, Japan.
Toda
Y
Y
Kitajima
H
H
Oda
H
H
Nagate
T
T
Kameo
K
K
Murakami
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008055:Lipids; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D013654:Taurine