The effects of taurine on atherosclerosis development in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Eur J Pharmacol. 1990 May 3;180(1):119-27. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(90)90599-2.

Abstract

The effect of taurine on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits maintained on a 2% cholesterol diet for a 14 week period has been examined. Taurine (0.2 and 0.5%) administered in the drinking water reduced thoracic aorta involvement. The area covered by atherosclerotic lesions was 58 +/- 15 and 52.5 +/- 12% (P less than 0.05) respectively, compared to 72.4 +/- 19% in the control group. Taurine had no significant effect on serum or tissue cholesterol, calcium, triglyceride or phospholipid concentrations. Nevertheless 0.2% taurine caused an increase in dP/dtmax (measured from the systemic blood pressure) and 0.5% lowered systemic blood pressure. The anti-atherosclerotic effects of taurine appear to be unrelated to a fall in blood pressure. The possibility that taurine is reducing the development of atherosclerotic lesions through a mechanism involving its antioxidant activity is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, Dietary / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / etiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / prevention & control*
  • Diet
  • Electrolytes / metabolism
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Phospholipids / blood
  • Rabbits
  • Taurine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, Dietary
  • Electrolytes
  • Phospholipids
  • Taurine