TITLE:
Taurine Protects Gut Barrier Function and Prevents Endothelial Cell Injury Induced by Ischaemia-Reperfusion
AUTHORS:
Hong Chen, Gang Chen, Claire Condron
KEYWORDS:
Ischaemia, Reperfusion, Gut Barrier, Taurine, ROS, Calcium
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.8 No.6,
June
29,
2017
ABSTRACT: Purpose: Gut permeability and microvascular injury following ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) have been
implicated in the systemic
inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ failure (MOF). Taurine (TAU), a sulfur-containing amino acid, is a powerful antioxidant and regulator of intracellular
calcium and several studies have established that treatment with TAU protects
cerebral, cardiac and testicular tissue from
(IR) injury. This study investigates the protective effect of
taurine in an experimental model of I/R-induced gut injury in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were
randomized into three groups: Control, I/R, TAU + I/R. TAU was given by gavage or
intravenous injection before I/R. Ischaemia was induced by cross-clamping
superior mesenteric and coeliac vascular pedicle for 20 - 30 min, followed by 60 - 180 min reperfusion. Gut permeability, blood flux,
tissue oedema, leucocytes infiltration and eNOS expression were measured at 3
hrs following reperfusion using FD4. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions were
determined by intra-vital microscopy during I/R. In vitro studies assessed the protective effect of TAU on
endothelial cell function and survival. Results: Treatment with TAU significantly attenuated IR-induced gut hyper
permeability, tissue oedema, leukocyte adhesion and infiltration. TAU also prevented the reduction in gut blood flow, leukocyte rolling velocity and eNOS expression induced
by IR. TAU protects against I/R-induced
endothelial cell injury by reduced anti-oxidant activity and modulation of eNOS
expression and intracellular calcium fluxes. Conclusions: TAU protects the gut from intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by surgical I/R.