Cirrhosis-induced oxidative stress in erythrocytes: The therapeutic potential of taurine.

Aim of the study: Cholestasis/cirrhosis could induce erythrocyte lysis. The incidence of various types of anemia in cirrhosis is approx. 75%. Several studies have mentioned the pivotal role of oxidative stress in this complication. Taurine (TAU) is the human body's most abundant free amino acid. TAU is known as a robust cell membrane stabilizer. Many studies have mentioned that TAU could counteract oxidative stress in various experimental models. The current study was intended to evaluate the effect of TAU on erythrocytes in cirrhotic rats.

Material and methods: Bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery was carried out on rats. Then, complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (HTC), and erythrocytes' G6PD, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Moreover, biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed, and the erythrocytes' morphological changes were monitored in the cirrhotic mice exposed to TAU (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% w : v in drinking water).

Results: Significant changes in the assessed erythrocyte parameters (G6PD activity, Hgb, HTC, and erythrocyte count) and red blood cells (RBC) morphological alterations were detected on day 42 after BDL surgery. Biomarkers of oxidative stress also did not change at the time points, except on post-BDL days 28 and 42. A significant decrease in blood parameters was evident at post-BDL day 42. All doses of TAU (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% w : v in drinking water) significantly improved erythrocyte parameters and encountered oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of cirrhotic animals.

Conclusions: These data indicate that TAU could be a safe agent to mitigate cirrhosis-induced erythrocyte damage and anemia. Further investigations are necessary to prove this in clinical settings.