Ameliorative Effect of Taurine and Niacin on Paraquat-Induced Early Lung Injury in Rats

抄録

The present study evaluated the efficacy of taurine and niacin alone and in combination, in ameliorating the early lung injury found in paraquat-administered rats. At 24h after paraquat insult several biochemical indicators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed. Increases in total protein, albumin, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, Nacetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme were evident in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of paraquat-intoxicated rats. Serum and lung lipid peroxidation products were also found to be elevated in the paraquat rats. Pretreatment with taurine or niacin for 7 days before paraquat intoxication reduced the incidence of lung injury; however, far more dramatic protective effects was observed in combined treatment with taurine and niacin. A significant reduction in biochemical constituents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lipid peroxidation occurred in paraquat groups pretreated with taurine and niacin. We conclude that taurine and niacin administration has a protective effect against paraquat-induced early lung injury through the beneficial effects of their antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties.