Chronic taurine treatment ameliorates reduction in saline-induced diuresis and natriuresis.
BACKGROUND
Taurine is an osmolyte found in high concentration in the kidney. Both the modulation of tissue taurine stores and the exogenous administration of taurine are known to affect renal function. Therefore, it is likely that taurine therapy could benefit the dysfunctional kidney.


METHODS
To test this idea, the present study examined the effect of chronic taurine administration on the excretory responses to acute saline volume loading by the unilaterally nephrectomized (UNX) control and the UNX glucose-intolerant rat (ages 3 to 9 months).


RESULTS
Sham-operated animals excreted similar amounts of the administered fluid and sodium loads with age. However, unilateral nephrectomy was associated with a significant reduction in the response to saline volume loading. This defect was prominent at a younger age (that is, 3 months) in the UNX glucose intolerant than the UNX control (6 months old) rat. Chronic taurine treatment ameliorated the reduction in saline-induced diuresis and natriuresis by both the UNX control and the UNX glucose intolerant rat. Both an increase in glomerular filtration and a reduction in tubular reabsorption of fluid and sodium caused this taurine-mediated improvement in renal excretory function.


CONCLUSIONS
Taurine treatment protects the kidney of the UNX rat against an age-dependent decline in excretory efficiency.
Mozaffari
Mahmood S
MS
Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, Augusta, Georgia 30912-1128, USA. Mmozaffa@mail.mcg.edu
Schaffer
Stephen W
SW
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D009318:Natriuresis / Q000187:drug effects*; D009392:Nephrectomy; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D013654:Taurine; D012965:Sodium Chloride