Protective effects of taurine on glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in ethanol-fed rats

Ethanol, by its property of generating free radicals during the course of its metabolism, alters redox homeostasis and causes damage to cell structure and function. This study investigated the effect of taurine on ethanol-induced experimental toxicity in rats. Ethanol was administered chronically to rats for 28 days. This resulted in significant increases in the activities of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpepticlase (GGT) and bilirubin in plasma. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the contents of glutathione (GSH) and thiols in plasma and tissues were significantly reduced as compared to control animals. Simultaneous administration of taurine along with ethanol prevented the leakage of enzymes into circulation and restored glutathione and tissue thiols. The activities of antioxiclant enzymes were normalized. We propose that taurine may have a bioprotective effect on ethanol-induced toxicity.