title: Investigation of the Protective Effects of Taurine against Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Retinal Changes via Electroretinogram and Retinal Histology with New Zealand White Rabbits.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective role of orally administered taurine against diabetic retinal changes via electroretinogram (ERG) and retinal histology on rabbits. Rabbits were randomly assigned into groups: Group I (vehicle administration only); Group II (diabetes: induced by 100 mg/kg alloxan injection); Group III (diabetes and fed with 200 mg/kg taurine); and Group IV (diabetes and fed with 400 mg/kg taurine). The body weight and blood glucose levels of the rabbits were monitored weekly. The ERG was measured on weeks 5 and 15. Retinal histology was analyzed in the end of the experiment. Results revealed that a taurine supplement significantly ameliorates the alloxan-induced hyperglycemia and protects the retina from electrophysiological changes. Group II showed a significant (P < 0.05) change in the mean scotopic b-wave amplitude when compared to that of Group I, whereas the diabetic rabbits treated with taurine (Group III and IV) were analogous to Group I. Histologically, the amount of Bipolar and Müller cells showed no difference (P > 0.05) between all groups and when compared with those of Group I. Our study provides solid evidences that taurine possesses an antidiabetic activity, reduced loss of body weight, and less electrophysiological changes of the diabetic retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Samuel Tung-Hsing
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9549-1081
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shang-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Section 3, Keelung Road, Taipei 11054, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, No. 250, Kuo-Kuang Road, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shiun-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan ; Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Section 1, Jianguo N. Road, Taichung 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jung-Kai
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0006-0233
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Tseng