Taurine as a protective agent for 5-fluorouracil-induced hepatic damage related to oxidative stress

Pharmazie. 2016 Sep 1;71(9):530-532. doi: 10.1691/ph.2016.6611.

Abstract

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine analog widely used for the treatment of various cancers, but often causes hepatic damage in clinical practice. In this study, we examined the influence of taurine on 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity in mice with respect to changes in oxidative stress. Elevations in the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase serum levels after 5-FU administration were significantly suppressed in a dosedependent manner by concurrent treatment with taurine. The activity of superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione content in the liver were significantly decreased following treatment with 5-FU alone, but these changes were markedly inhibited by the administration of taurine. Our findings suggest that taurine protects against 5-FU-induced hepatotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / toxicity*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fluorouracil / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Fluorouracil / toxicity*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Taurine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Protective Agents
  • Taurine
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione
  • Fluorouracil