The Effects of Taurine on Cell Viability in BHK-21 Cell Culture

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of taurine treatment on cell viability and proliferations in BHK-21 cells. In this study, BHK-21 cells were seeded at a density of 50.000/ml per well in 96 well plates in medium composed of Glasgow-Minimum Essential Medium (GMEM). The cells were either left untreated (control) or treated with different concentrations of taurine for 24 h. XTT cell viability assay was performed, LDH activity and glucose level measured spectrophotometrically. Addition of 0,1mM – 15mM taurine increased but 30mM–70mM taurine concentration decreased cell viability and proliferations. A significant difference in medium LDH activity was observed between control and treated cells. Higher concentration of taurine (30mM-70mM) significantly increased the medium LDH activity. Significantly decreased the medium glucose level was found at high cell viability. These results suggest a role for taurine as a cytoprotective role in the BHK-21 cell in dose-dependent manner.