The Effect of Taurine on the Relationship Between NO, ADMA and Homocysteine in Endotoxin-Mediated Inflammation in HUVEC Cultures

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of taurine on the relationship between nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine (Hcy) in endotoxin-induced human umblical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) cultures. For this reason, four groups were formed (n = 12). Control group consists of HUVEC cultures without any treatment. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS + taurine groups were treated with 10 μg/mL endotoxin, 5 μg/mL taurine and endotoxin + taurine (same doses), respectively. Nitrite/nitrate (NOx), ADMA and Hcy levels were measured. There was a significant increase of NOx, ADMA and Hcy in endotoxemia (p < 0.05). Taurine treatment elevated NOx levels significantly (p < 0.01) in taurine and LPS + taurine group compared to control group, while it reduced NOx levels compared to LPS group. In contrast, taurine decreased ADMA levels to the control level both in taurine and taurine + LPS group compared to LPS. Hcy levels increased significantly compared to taurine group (p < 0.05) and did not change compared to LPS group. Taurine was effective on ADMA–NO relationship whereas no beneficial effect was observed in Hcy levels (p < 0.05).