Hepatoprotective Effect of Taurine Against Oxidative Stress Due to Methotrexate in Rat

Problem statement: Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulphonic acid is an essential amino acid. It is present at high concentrations in many tissues. It plays important roles in numerous physiological functions including conjugation with bile acids, modulation of calcium levels and maintenance of osmolarity, antioxidation and stabilization of membranes. Methotrexate (MTX), as the most disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug used for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), has been available for clinical use since 1951. The main scope of this study was to assessment of probable Hepatoprotective effect of taurine as it antioxidant action against oxidative stress due to methotrexate in rats. Approach: Eighty male Wistar rats, weighing 200±20 gr, were obtained from the animal breeding center of Islamic Azad University. The rats were divided into 4 equal groups of 20 animals including: 1-normal control, 2-normal rats treated with taurine, 3- taurine + methotrexate and 4-methotrexate. Results: Methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity as reflected by elevated serum ALT, AST and GGT levels (p<0.001) and reduced serum total protein level (p<0.001). Conclusion: Taurine has a protective action against hepatotoxins and suggest that taurine may find clinical application against a variety of toxins where cellular damage is a consequence of reactive oxygen species.