The Effects of Taurine and ??-alanine on Blood Glucose and Blood Lipid Concentrations in Insulin-treated Diabetic Rats

Chang, Kyung Ja

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects oftaurine supplementation and taurine depletion on blood glucose and blood lipid concentrations in insulin-treated diabetic rats. Four groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed the purified diet for 3 weeks ; nontaurine-supplemented diabetic rats(E0), nontaurine-supplemented diabetic rats with insulin treatment(E0+I), 1% taurine-supplemented diabetic rats with insulin treatment(E1+I) and taurine-depleted diabetic rats with insulin treatment(EA+I). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection(50mg/kg B.W.). Isophane insulin was given subcutaneously into the abdominal wall of the diabetic rats(4 unit/rat/day). E1+I were supplemented with 1% taurine in drinking water. To induce taurine depletion, EA+I were treated with 5% beta-alanine in drinking water. E1+I had significantly higher body weight compared to that fo E0. The food intakes of E1+I and E0+I were significantly decreased compared to that of E0. There was no sigfniciant difference in food intake between E1+I and E0+I. The water intake of rats was significantly different among the groups ; E0>E0+I>E1+I>EA+I. The urine volume of E0 was significantly increased compared to those of insulin-treated goups. The blood glucose concentration of E0 was significantly increased compared to those of insulin-treated groups. In the oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT), E0+I and E1+I had significantly lower blood blucose concentrations compared to E0 after 30 min. Also EA+I had significantly lower bloodglucose concentrtion compared to E0 and E0+I. The plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentratons of EA+I were significantly incrased compared to those of other groups. Therefore, it may be suggested that tuarine supplementation is useful for insulin-dependent diabetes in order to prevent diabetic complications suchas cardiac vascular diseases.