Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of taurine and vitamin E on atherosclerotic lesions in H2O2-induced atherosclerosis model in rabbits. Rabbits were firstly treated with daily intake of 0.5 H2O2 in drinking water for 60 days, then divided into 3 groups left for 12 weeks and treated as follow: Group1; no further treatment, Group2; treated with taurine that dissolved in drinking water at 0.3% (w/v) daily, and Group3; treated with vitamin E in the diet as 400 mg/kg feed. Results confirmed the persistency of atherosclerotic lesions till 12 weeks post treatment with H2O2. taurine and vitamin E treated showed the same effect on some biochemical profiles. Taurine treatment decreased serum levels of total cholesterol by 41.5%, triglecerides by 31.5% as well as decreased in serum atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), cholesterol by 50.2% and 51.5% respectively. The same treatment increased antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 23.3%. Aortic biopsies from taurine treated rabbits and stained with Sudan IV reveal reduction in the areas of sudanophilia and, the histological examination also demonstrated regression in fatty streaks and foam cells in the intestine, furthermore, taurine treatment elucidate a significance reduction in tissues malondiadehyde (MDA) level; liver (31%), heart (31.9%) and aorta (46.7)% concomitant with significant elevation in tissues glutathione (GSH) level; liver (190%), heart (113%) and aorta (86.2%). In conclusion, taurine reduce the severity of atherosclerotic lesions induced by H2O2 treatment and its antioxidative effect may related to the anti-atherosclerotic action.