Effects of systemic and regional taurine on skeletal muscle function following ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
BACKGROUND
Tissues subjected to prolonged ischaemia are paradoxically further damaged when their perfusion is restored. The mechanisms underlying this ischaemia-reperfusion injury are complex, but oxidative attack is a central feature. Among the therapeutic agents used to attenuate ischaemia-reperfusion injury, endogenous agents such as taurine which form part of the native defence mechanism against oxidative damage are of particular interest.


METHODS
Using a model of hindlimb ischaemia-reperfusion injury in the rat, taurine solution was administered either into the operated hindlimb, into the systemic circulation, or both. Contraction strengths of gastrocnemius biopsies from the operated and contralateral (control) hindlimbs of each animal were measured.


RESULTS
Fast twitch strength was impaired significantly by ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and taurine injected into the operated limb conferred partial protection. A similar trend was observed for tetany, but protection by taurine was not statistically significant for tetanic contraction strength.


CONCLUSIONS
Preservation of fast twitch strength following ischaemia-reperfusion injury by administration of taurine before ischaemia has clinical potential. However, delivery to the affected tissues during ischaemia presents technical difficulties.
Kingston
Ross
R
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, Ireland. rosskingston@eircom.net
Kearns
Stephen
S
Kelly
Cathal
C
Murray
Paraic
P
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013654:Taurine