EFFECT OF TAURINE ON WOUND-HEALING

Taurine which has antioxidant effects is also known to have effects on cell proliferation, inflammation and collagenogenesis. The aim of thi s study was to investigate the effect of taurine on incisional skin wo unds. The mice incised on the dorsal area were divided into control an d experimental groups. Saline was injected intraperitoneally to half o f the animals in the control group and locally applied to the other ha lf. Fifty mM taurine solution was given intraperitoneally to the first half of the experimental animals and locally to the second half of th e experimental group. After four days of treatment, malondialdehyde (M DA) and histamine levels as well as the tensile strength of the wound tissue were measured. Structural alterations in epidermis and dermis w ere histologically evaluated. The locally administreated taurine signi ficantly increased wound tensile strength by decreasing the MDA and hi stamine levels and prevented the degranulation of the mast cells. Thes e observations suggest that taurine may be useful on wound healing.