[Protective action of taurine on ischemia-reperfusion liver injury in rats and its mechanism].

The protective effect of taurine on ischemia-reperfusion damages of rat perfused liver and its possible mechanism were investigated. Reflow with 20 mmol/L taurine markedly ameliorated reperfusion injury of post-ischemic liver as evidenced by reduction of lipid peroxidation (LPO), mitochondrial calcium overload in hepatocytes, as well as leakage of intracellular LDH and protein. Furthermore, taurine could significantly suppress in vitro LPO formation of hepatocyte plasma membrane induced by generating system of free radicals, inhibit calcium uptake and promote calcium release by mitochondria in addition to a membrane stabilizing action on rat isolated hepatic lysosome. The results demonstrated that taurine possesses significant protective efficacy on ischemia-reperfusion liver damage, and that the mechanism of its anti-hepatic injury may be mainly related to inhibiting LPO formation, regulating cellular calcium homeostasis and stabilizing biological membrane.