Taurine attenuates radiation-induced lung fibrosis in C57/Bl6 fibrosis prone mice.

The amino acid taurine has an established role in attenuating lung fibrosis secondary to bleomycin-induced injury. This study evaluates taurine’s effect on TGF-β1 expression and the development of lung fibrosis after single-dose thoracic radiotherapy. Four groups of C57/Bl6 mice received 14 Gy thoracic radiation. Mice were treated with taurine or saline supplementation by gavage. After 10 days and 14 weeks of treatment, TGF-β1 levels were measured in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung collagen content was determined using hydroxyproline analysis. Ten days post radiotherapy, serum TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower after gavage with taurine rather than saline ( P = 0.033). BALF TGF-β1 at 10 days was also significantly lower in mice treated with taurine ( P = 0.031). Hydroxyproline content was also significantly lower at 14 weeks in mice treated with taurine ( P = 0.020). This study presents novel findings of taurine’s role in protecting from TGF-β1-associated development of lung fibrosis after thoracic radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]