Effects of In-vivo Administration of Taurine and HEPES on the Inflammatory Response in Rats

Abstract

Abstract The effect of in-vivo administration of N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N’-2-ethane sulphonic acid (HEPES) and taurine on rat paw oedema and reactive oxidant production was examined. Carrageenan-induced paw oedema was attenuated following intraperitoneal injection of HEPES. Chemiluminescence production by isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was reduced in HEPES-treated rats. Taurine-treated rats did not exhibit attenuation of paw oedema using subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration but intracerebroventricular administration produced a significant reduction at a dosage of 4·0 μmol. No reduction in chemiluminescence production was observed by PBMC using subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration of taurine, but intracerebroventricular administration produced a significant reduction at a dosage of both 0·4 and 4·0 μmol. Intravenous injection of [14C]HEPES or [3H]taurine demonstrated rapid clearance with a significantly longer half-life of HEPES compared with taurine. These results support previous reports of anti-inflammatory activity of taurine when administered centrally. The lack of anti-inflammatory effect when taurine was administered subcutaneously or intraperitoneally may be a consequence of rapid distribution or clearance. The greater anti-inflammatory effects of HEPES compared with taurine may be due to its slower distribution or clearance in-vivo.