Factors Influencing the Excretion of Taurine in Irradiated Rats with Particular Reference to the Adrenal Glands

Kay and coworkers (1) have shown an increased excretion of taurine by rats after total body x-irradiation. It has been demonstrated previously (24) that methionine, cysteine, and glutathione are precursors of taurine. In view of the well established effect of irradiation on sulfhydryl groups described by Barron and his associates (5-7), it seems probable that the increase in the excretion of taurine is due to increased oxidation of sulfhydryl compounds. This view is strengthened by the report of Aebi et al. (8), who failed to find an additional increase in taurine excretion by rats that had been injected with cysteine and then subjected to 500 r. of total body radiation. The rationalefor thiswas that the injected cysteine spared the previously existing supply of sulfhydryl groups. Since both the thymus and spleen may be destroyed by irradiation, it was of interest to determine whether removal of these tissues would alter the taurine excretion values after exposure to x-radiation. It has also been established by Patt and others (Q-12) that total body irradiation induces a fall in the ascorbic acid and cholesterol content of the adrenal cortex. Recently it has been shown by Pentz and Hasterlik (13) that the diuresis which occurs in rats after total body irradiation is dependent upon the adrenal cortex. It was therefore pertinent to examine the excretion of taurine by adrenalectomized animals after irradiation and to investigate the relationship between taurine excretion and urine volume.