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The protective effects of taurine against renal damage by salt loading in Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Yuko Chiba1, Katsuyuki Ando, Toshiro Fujita
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tokyo, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Objectives:
We evaluated whether taurine prevents renal damage which is accompanied with enhanced expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1) mRNA, in salt-loaded Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats.
Methods:
Male, 4-week-old DS rats were fed on either a high-salt (8% NaCl) or normal-salt (0.66% NaCl) diet for 4 weeks. Some DS rats with high-salt diet were given drinking water containing 1% taurine. We evaluated blood pressure, renal function, renal LOX-1 expression and parameters for oxidative stress.
Results:
In salt-loaded DS rats, there was a significant increase in heart weight and urinary protein, accompanied with enhanced LOX-1 expression in kidney. All of these were reduced by concomitant supplementation of taurine, although both antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effects of taurine were only slight in salt-loaded DS rats. On the other hand, salt-induced increment in urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, a parameter of oxidative damage, was completely normalized by taurine supplementation.
Conclusions:
The protective effects of taurine supplementation against renal damage induced by salt loading in DS rats may be attributed to the suppression of LOX-1, probably through its antioxidant effects.
Insights
Taurine supplementation prevented kidney damage in salt-loaded rats by reducing lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression and oxidative stress, suggesting a protective role against salt-induced renal injury.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- High salt intake is a major risk factor for kidney damage.
- Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression is implicated in renal injury.
- Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats are a model for salt-induced hypertension and organ damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of taurine against renal damage in salt-loaded DS rats.
- To determine if taurine modulates LOX-1 expression in the kidneys of DS rats.
- To assess the impact of taurine on oxidative stress parameters in this model.
Main Methods:
- Male DS rats were fed a high-salt (8% NaCl) or normal-salt diet for 4 weeks.
- A subset of high-salt fed rats received 1% taurine in their drinking water.
- Evaluated blood pressure, renal function, kidney LOX-1 expression, and oxidative stress markers.
Main Results:
- Salt loading increased heart weight and urinary protein, along with elevated kidney LOX-1 expression.
- Taurine supplementation reduced these markers, despite minor effects on blood pressure and lipids.
- Taurine completely normalized salt-induced increases in urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative damage.
Conclusions:
- Taurine exhibits protective effects against salt-induced renal damage in DS rats.
- These protective effects are likely mediated by the suppression of LOX-1 expression.
- Antioxidant properties of taurine may contribute to its renal protective mechanisms.
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