Protective role of taurine against cholestasis-ınduced oxidative stress and liver ınjury in rats

Objectives Cholestasis, characterized by impaired bile flow and bile accumulation, leads to progressive liver injury largely mediated by oxidative stress. Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, may protect against cholestatic liver damage. This study investigated the effects of taurine in an experimental cholestasis model. Methods Cholestasis was induced in rats by common bile duct ligation (BDL). Following surgery, animals received intraperitoneal saline or taurine (100 mg/kg). At designated time points, plasma and liver samples were collected. Oxidative stress parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and glutathione (GSH), were measured in plasma and liver tissue. Liver function was assessed by plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin levels. Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate the extent of liver injury. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Compared with saline-treated groups, taurine-treated rats exhibited significantly lower plasma and hepatic MDA and NOx levels and significantly higher GSH levels. Plasma ALT levels were also significantly reduced in taurine-treated animals. Although total bilirubin levels did not differ significantly at 24 h, they were significantly lower in taurine-treated rats at later time points. Histopathological analysis demonstrated progressive liver damage in untreated cholestatic rats, whereas taurine administration attenuated tissue injury and reduced the extent of damaged areas. Conclusions Taurine effectively reduced oxidative stress and attenuated biochemical and histopathological liver injury in BDL-induced cholestasis. These findings suggest that taurine may be a promising adjunct therapeutic agent for cholestatic liver disease.