CHANGES IN TAURINE LEVELS IN RESPONSE TO REPEATED ADMINISTRATION OF THE BETA(2)-AGONIST SALBUTAMOL IN LAMBS

Repeated oral administration of salbutamol to lambs for 28 days was fo und to decrease levels of taurine significantly in the serum and heart , and the mean excretion of taurine into urine was significantly less than in controls, Serum urea, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were also significantly reduced. Consistent with these ch anges, fat content in muscle was reduced, whereas protein content was not significantly changed, Body weight was not significantly changed b y salbutamol treatment but heart and kidney weights (relative to body weight) were significantly increased, Salbutamol excretion in urine wa s relatively constant and residues were detected in certain organs and tissues, notably liver, bile and kidney, Changes in urinary and serum taurine level may reflect subtle changes in protein metabolism not de tectable as changes in body weight or gross protein content.