Taurine enhances the metabolism and detoxification of ethanol and prevents hepatic fibrosis in rats treated with iron and alcohol

The study examines the effects of taurine on the metabolism and detoxification of ethanol in liver fibrosis induced by simultaneous administration of iron carbonyl (0.5%, w/w) and ethanol (6 g/(kgday)). Ethanol and iron administration caused liver damage and fibrosis as evidenced by liver histology and biochemical profile in plasma. Over accumulation of iron and a loss in taurine in hepatic tissue was observed in fibrotic animals. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were significantly reduced in these rats compared to control. Adaptive induction of activities of Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) and aniline hydroxylase accompanied by the reduction in glutathione-S-transferase, DT-diaphorase and glyoxalases I and 11 was observed. Taurine administration (2% in drinking water) ameliorated the effects of ethanol and iron. Hepatic damage and fibrosis were reduced in taurine-supplemented rats. Thus taurine has the potential for the treatment of alcoholic liver fibrosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.