Protective effects of taurine against hepatotoxicity induced by pharmaceuticals and environmental chemicals

Abstract The liver plays a central role in metabolism, so excessive exposure to drugs and other xenobiotics may result in hepatotoxicity. A protective effect of taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid, against hepatotoxicity induced by chemicals has been shown in vivo and in vitro. In this review, data available from such studies about the hepatoprotective effects of taurine are presented and possible mechanisms of action are discussed. The reviewed literature suggests that taurine inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation, induces conjugation of xenobiotics with bile acids, stabilizes cell membranes, controls hepatic glutathione contents, and suppresses certain cytochrome isozymes, all indicating anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and osmoregulatory properties of taurine.