Effects of Taurine on Lipid Metabolism and Protein Synthesis in Poultry and Mice*

In this study, we have attempted to understand the effects of taurine on serum and liver concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in broiler chickens and mice in the post-absorptive state, and on in vitro protein synthesis in the livers of broiler chickens and laying hens, as well as the effects of taurine on in vivo protein synthesis in the liver of mice. The experimental animals were subjected to 24 h of starvation in order to perpetuate a post-absorptive state. Serum concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the taurine groups than in the controls in both the broilers and the mice. However, taurine resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in liver concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides, relative to what was seen in the control groups of both animals. Taurine stimulated the in vitro synthesis of 57-kDa, 40-kDa and 23-kDa proteins in the liver of broilers, but inhibited the in vitro synthesis of 54-kDa, 37-kDa and 24-kDa proteins. Taurine in the liver of laying hens exerted effects on in vitro protein synthesis, with the exception of the 26-kDa protein which was not detected in broiler liver, but was inhibited by taurine in the liver of laying hens. Unlike the findings regarding in vitro protein synthesis in the liver of broilers or laying hens, taurine appeared to stimulate the synthesis of only two proteins, a 47-kDa and a 40-kDa protein, in the liver of mice. Overall, theses findings indicate that taurine treatment results in a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and also affects protein synthesis in the livers of broilers, laying hens, and mice. (