In Vivo Protective Effect of Taurine on Puromycin Aminonucleoside-Induced Nephrosis in Rats

The present investigation evaluated the effectiveness of taurine in attenuating the acute nephrosis in rats following intraperitoneal administration of puromycin aminonucleoside. Animals given a single injection of aminonucleoside (100mg/kg) developed nephrotic syndrome at the end of 10 days, as evidenced by heavy proteinuria, albuminuria, and increased urinary excretion of N-acetyl-β-D-glucos-aminidase when compared with the controls. Significant increases in kidney lipid peroxides, hydroxyl radicals, and hydroperoxides were also evident. Aminonucleoside significantly reduced the levels of glutathione, total thiol, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E in the kidney tissue. Significant reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase were also observed in the nephrotic rats. Neither saline nor saline plus taurine treatment caused detectable changes in the above biochemical variables. Daily taurine administration to nephrotic rats for 10 days, however, reduced the severity of aminonucleoside-associated renal injury with significant reduction in urinary protein constituents, decreased lipid peroxides, and increased levels of antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate a protective role of taurine in ameliorating the acute nephrosis in response to puromycin aminonucleoside administration.