Abstract:

Objective  To explore the  effects  of taurine on
the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and apoptosis  of
  alveolar macrophages(AM) in silicosis rats and its action mechanism,and to provide basis for
treatment of silicosis. Methods 24 rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and taurine
group,and there were 8 rats  in each group.The AM of the  rats were collected from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).
The levels of TNF-α in BALF  in different groups were measured by ELISA method,the apotosis of the AM of the rats was
measured by TUNEL method,and  agarose gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate the alteration of DNA fragment.
Results The levels of  TNF-α of rats in control group,model group and taurine group were (215.8±11.7),(528.2±23.3),
and (364.3±21.4) ng?L-1,respectively.Compared with model group,the TNF-α expression level in BALF of silicosis rats in taurine g
roup was decreased(P<0.05). The apoptotic index in taurine group (9.38%±1.64%)  was significantly higher
than that  in control group (5.01%±1.17%)(P<0.01) and lower than that in model group (14.03%±0.74%)
(P<0.05). The characteristic DNA ladder appeared in model group,which was not found in control group and taurine group.
Conclusion Taurine can effectively inhibit AM apoptosis induced by SiO2 through down-regulating the expression of TNF-α.

Key words: taurine, silicosis, alveolar macrophage, apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor-&alpha