Effect of taurine supplementation on hyperhomocysteinemia and markers of oxidative stress in high fructose diet induced insulin resistance

Abstract

BackgroundHigh intake of dietary fructose is accused of being responsible for the development of the insulin resistance (IR) syndrome. Concern has arisen because of the realization that fructose, at elevated concentrations, can promote metabolic changes that are potentially deleterious. Among these changes is IR which manifests as a decreased biological response to normal levels of plasma insulin.MethodsOral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were carried out, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) was calculated, homocysteine (Hcy), lipid concentrations and markers of oxidative stress were measured in male Wistar rats weighing 170-190 g. The rats were divided into four groups, kept on either control diet or high fructose diet (HFD), and simultaneously supplemented with 300 mg/kg/day taurine via intra-peritoneal (i.p.) route for 35 days.ResultsFructose-fed rats showed significantly impaired glucose tolerance, impaired insulin sensitivity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lower paraoxonase (PON) activity, and higher nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) concentration, when compared to rats fed on control diet. Supplementing the fructose-fed rats with taurine has ameliorated the rise in HOMA by 56%, triglycerides (TGs) by 22.5%, total cholesterol (T-Chol) by 11%, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 21.4%. Taurine also abolished any significant difference of TAC, PON activity and NOx concentration among treated and control groups. TAC positively correlated with PON in both rats fed on the HFD and those received taurine in addition to the HFD. Fructose-fed rats showed 34.7% increase in Hcy level. Taurine administration failed to prevent the observed HHcy in the current dosage and duration.ConclusionOur results indicate that HFD could induce IR which could further result in metabolic syndrome (MS), and that taurine has a protective role against the metabolic abnormalities induced by this diet model except for HHcy.

Protective Effect of Taurine on Thiopurine-Induced Testicular Atrophy in Male Albino Rats

“…Besides the well-known conjugation with bile acids, taurine has a number of other physiological functions such as intracellular osmolyte for volume regulation and some antioxidant properties [12,13]. It can be obtained either exogenously through dietary source as poultry, beef, pork, seafood, and processed meats or endogenously through biosynthesis from methionine and cysteine precursors.…”

Effects ofPassiflora edulis(Yellow Passion) on Serum Lipids and Oxidative Stress Status of Wistar Rats

“…These parameters together may be conducive to the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk for development of vascular diseases. 12,13 The genus Passiflora is largely found in Brazil and include several native plants known as maracujá (yellow passion), but only two of them have commercial importance: Passiflora edulis, usually called juice maracujá, and Passiflora alata, called sweet maracujá. Passiflora quadrangularis has been shown to have hemolytic activity like hemolysin.…”

Anticholesterolemic and Antiatherogenic Effects of Taurine Supplementation is Model Dependent

“…Taurine supplementation does not alter plasma lipids in male wistar rats fed normal chow [85]. However, when these rats were fed high cholesterol diet containing 2% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid, dietary supplementation of 4% taurine significantly counteracted the observed increase in serum cholesterol by 44% [86].…”

“…Male wistar rats fed a diet containing 60% fructose developed impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance [85]. Taurine administration (300 mg/kg/day i.p.)…”