The protective effects of taurine on experimental autoimmune myocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of taurine on experimental autoimmune myocarditis and its mechanisms. BALB/c mice were immunized with porcine cardiac myosin to induce experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered taurine (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) or vehicle to EAM mice daily. On day 21, the severity of myocarditis was evaluated by determination of heart weight/body weight ratio (Hw/Bw), histopathological and echocardiographic examination of heart tissue. The levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in serum were measured by ELISA. Moreover, ELISA was also used to determine the levels of MDA, SOD and GSH-Px in heart homogenates.

RESULTS: The mice treated with taurine had significantly decreased Hw/Bw (p < 0.05). Treatment with 10 or 20 mg/ kg taurine prevented the LV dysfunction, significantly increased the LVEDs, LVEDd and LVPW. Furthermore, Th1 cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2) were significantly downregulated, accompanied by Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) markedly upregulated after treatment with taurine. Meanwhile, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in heart tissues significantly increased, while the content of MDA significantly decreased after treatment with taurine.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that taurine has a protective effect against EAM by modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and suppressing of oxidative stress.