EFFECT OF VARIOUS NON-HEPATOTOXIC COMPOUNDS ON URINARY AND LIVER TAURINE LEVELS IN RATS

Administration of compounds which alter protein synthesis or sulphur a mino acid metabolism in rats results in changes in the excretion of ur inary taurine. Treatment with diethylmaleate (DEM) or phorone, which w ill deplete glutathione (GSH), reduces taurine excretion, whereas trea tment with buthionine sulphoximine (BSO), which will inhibit glutathio ne synthesis, increases taurine excretion. Treatment with cycloheximid e, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, increases taurine excretion, whe reas pretreatment with phenobarbital, which will increase protein synt hesis, decreases taurine excretion. Administration of agents which dam age organs other than the liver such as the kidney, heart and testes, does not increase urinary taurine.