Taurine alleviates malathion induced lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory cytokine gene expressions in rats

The present study was considered to evaluate the protective effect of taurine on malathion-induced toxicity in rats. Totally, 48 male rats were divided into 6 equal groups: 0.5 ml physiological salt solution was given orally to control rats. 0.5 ml corn oil was given orally to rats in corn oil group. Malathion at dose of 27 mg/kg (1/50 of LD50) was dissolved in 0.5 ml corn oil and given to orally rats in malathion group. The other groups; malathion (27 mg/kg) and taurine (dissolved in 0.5 ml physiological salt solution) at dose of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg were given orally to rats for 30 days, respectively. Malathion treatment decreased acetylcholinesterase levels in serum (30%) and liver (25%) compared to the control group. Malathion resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels whereas decreased glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities in rats. Also, IF-gamma, IL1-beta, TNF-alpha, and NF kappa B mRNA expression levels were found to be increased 5, 1.7, 2.3, and 2.5 fold in malathion treated rats compared to control, respectively. However, treatment of taurine, in a dose-dependent manner, resulted in a reversal of malathion-induced lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, taurine demonstrated preventive action against malathion-induced histopathological changes in rat tissues. In conclusion, taurine exhibited a protective effect in rats against malathion-induced lipid peroxidation, besides it ameliorated antioxidant status, decreased mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokine and repaired rat tissues.