Taurine prevents acrylonitrile-induced oxidative stress in rat brain.

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a volatile, toxic liquid used as a monomer in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, styrene plastics, acrylic fiber and adhesives. ACN is a potent neurotoxin and a carcinogen, which produces tumors in rats, particularly gliomas of the brain. A role for free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in the toxicity of ACN has been suggested. We examined the ability of taurine, an antioxidant amino acid, to attenuate ACN-induced alterations in lipid peroxidation, cellular DNA fragmentation, GSH, vitamin C and vitamin E levels in blood and brain of rats. Rats were administered with ACN at a concentration of 100 ppm in drinking water and sacrificed after 14 and 28 days. The level of lipid peroxidation and the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were assayed. The obtained data were compared with those obtained from ACN rats co-treated with taurine for 14 and 28 days. It was observed that taurine treatment counteracted the oxidative stress induced by ACN by reducing the levels of peroxidation, and enhancing the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants.