Taurine provides a time-dependent amelioration of the brain damage induced by γ-irradiation in rats

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) is inevitable since over 80% of total average exposure comes from natural sources. Brain is vulnerable to the deleterious effects of IR. Therefore, scientists paid attention in identifying novel compounds to protect against radiation-induced brain injury. Adult male albino rats weighing 120-150 g were divided into five groups, 18 rats each. Group 1 served as control, group 2 received an oral daily dose of taurine (500 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Group 3 was exposed to a whole body single dose of gamma-irradiation (6 Gy). Groups 4 and 5 received taurine before and after gamma-irradiation,respectively. Six rats from each group were sacrificed after 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Throughout the 3 weeks studied, there were significant increases in MDA, NO, TNF-alpha levels, and Cytochrome-c and activities of Caspases-9 and -3 and significant decreases in GSH, SOD, CAT and GPx in the irradiated group when compared with the relevant control. Cerebral cortex of irradiated rats showed vacuolization and nuclear pyknosis in the neuronal cells and focal gliosis. Taurine administration pre- or post-irradiation significantly ameliorated all these previous effects. Taurine had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects and ameliorated the histopathological changes in brain in a time-dependent mode.