Protective effect of taurine against mercury induced toxicity in rats

The aim of the present study was to estimate the protective role of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), a sulfur containing conditionally essential amino acid, against mercury -induced cardiac dysfunction in rats. Mercuric chloride was administered orally at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Mercury exposure caused significant accumulation of the mercury and rat’s hearts tissue. Levels of serum specific markers related to cardiac impairments, e.g. total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride were altered due to mercury toxicity. Reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathioneperoxidase (GPx) have been observed in mercury exposed rats. Mercury intoxication also decreased the cardiac glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation end products. Oral administration of taurine at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 15 days, however, prevented all the toxin-induced oxidative impairments. The present results suggest that taurine protects the heart tissue against mercury induced toxicity.