THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF TAURINE ON THE BIOMEMBRANE AGAINST DAMAGE PRODUCED BY OXYGEN RADICALS

The effect of taurine in protecting biomembrane against oxygen radical s was investigated using canine erythrocytes. 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopro pane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a water-soluble azo-compound, was used a s the oxygen-radical generator. Taurine suppressed erythrocyte hemolys is more effectively than alpha-alanine, used for comparison. To clarif y the relationship to the lipid peroxidation, the amount of lipid pero xide was measured using liposomes prepared with egg yolk lecithin. How ever, the peroxidation was not suppressed by taurine. When intact eryt hrocytes were subjected to hemolysis by hyposmotic solutions, taurine suppressed the osmotic hemolysis more effectively than alpha-alanine. These results suggest that taurine does not have an antioxidative effe ct like vitamin E, but interacts with the biomembrane, and helps to pr otect it against damage caused by AAPH.