Taurine attenuates radiation-induced lung fibrosis in C57/Bl6 fibrosis prone mice.
BACKGROUND
The amino acid taurine has an established role in attenuating lung fibrosis secondary to bleomycin-induced injury. This study evaluates taurine's effect on TGF-beta1 expression and the development of lung fibrosis after single-dose thoracic radiotherapy.


METHODS
Four groups of C57/Bl6 mice received 14 Gy thoracic radiation. Mice were treated with taurine or saline supplementation by gavage. After 10 days and 14 weeks of treatment, TGF-beta1 levels were measured in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung collagen content was determined using hydroxyproline analysis.


RESULTS
Ten days post radiotherapy, serum TGF-beta1 levels were significantly lower after gavage with taurine rather than saline (P = 0.033). BALF TGF-beta1 at 10 days was also significantly lower in mice treated with taurine (P = 0.031). Hydroxyproline content was also significantly lower at 14 weeks in mice treated with taurine (P = 0.020).


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents novel findings of taurine's role in protecting from TGF-beta1-associated development of lung fibrosis after thoracic radiation.
Robb
W B
WB
Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. wrobb@rcsi.ie
Condron
C
C
Moriarty
M
M
Walsh
T N
TN
Bouchier-Hayes
D J
DJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013909:Thorax / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D013654:Taurine; D006909:Hydroxyproline