title: Effect of taurine on febrile episodes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of oral taurine on the incidence of febrile episodes during chemotherapy in young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, at the beginning of maintenance course of their chemotherapy, were eligible for this study. The study population was randomized in a double blind manner to receive either taurine or placebo (2 gram per day orally). Life quality and side effects including febrile episodes were assessed using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of total forty participants, 43.8% were female and 56.3 % were male. The mean age was 19.16±1.95 years (ranges: 16-23 years). The results indicated that the levels of white blood cells are significantly (P<0.05) increased in taurine treated group. There was no elevation in blasts count. A total of 70 febrile episodes were observed during study, febrile episodes were significantly (P<0.05) lower in taurine patients in comparison to the control ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall incidence of febrile episodes and infectious complications in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients receiving taurine was lower than placebo group. Taurine's ability to increase leukocyte count may result in lower febrile episodes.
authors: Students' Research Committee and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Mina
authors: M
authors: Islambulchilar
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Iraj
authors: I
authors: Asvadi
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Zohreh
authors: Z
authors: Sanaat
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Esfahani
authors: Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ; Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Mohammadreza
authors: M
authors: Sattari
keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Antioxidant; Febrile episode; Infection; Neutrophile; Taurine