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Perinatal taurine alters arterial pressure control and renal function in adult offspring

Sanya Roysommuti1, Wichaporn Lerdweeraphon, Pisamai Malila

  • 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. sanya@kku.ac.th

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|February 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal taurine levels impact kidney function in adult female rats fed a high-sugar diet. Taurine depletion or supplementation altered blood pressure, sodium levels, and renal blood flow, affecting overall kidney health.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Perinatal taurine is crucial for normal development.
  • High-sugar diets can negatively affect renal function.
  • The interaction between perinatal taurine and high-sugar diets on kidney health is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of perinatal taurine exposure on renal function in adult female rats.
  • To determine how dietary sugar intake modifies these effects.
  • To assess the impact on blood pressure, sodium balance, renal hemodynamics, and filtration.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were assigned to perinatal taurine depleted (TD), supplemented (TS), or control (C) groups.
  • Offspring were fed either normal chow or a 5% glucose solution after weaning.
  • Renal function was assessed at 7-8 weeks of age, measuring mean arterial pressure, plasma sodium, renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and water excretion.

Main Results:

  • High-sugar diet intake led to lower plasma sodium concentrations in all groups.
  • Taurine depletion and high-sugar diet (TDG) resulted in significantly higher mean arterial pressure.
  • Renal blood flow was lowest in taurine-supplemented and high-sugar diet (TSG) and taurine-depleted and water (TDW) groups, indicating increased renal vascular resistance.
  • Water excretion was reduced in TSG and TSW groups, suggesting enhanced tubular water reabsorption.

Conclusions:

  • Perinatal taurine exposure significantly influences adult renal function.
  • Dietary sugar intake exacerbates some of these effects, particularly concerning sodium balance and blood pressure.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of perinatal taurine in kidney development and its long-term consequences on renal health under metabolic stress.

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