Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of theβ2-agonist drug clenbuterol on taurine levels in heart and other tissues in the rat

  • Full Papers
  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The administration of a single subcutaneous dose of clenbuterol to rats altered the level of taurine in certain tissues. Taurine levels in cardiac tissue were significantly decreased 3 h after the administration of 250μg/kg of clenbuterol and remained significantly depressed at 12h post-dose only returning to control values by 24h. The level of taurine in the liver increased 3 h after clenbuterol administration but was lower than the control value at 24 h post dose. Lung taurine levels were significantly lower than the control value at 12 hr post dose and remained depressed until 24h post dose. Clenbuterol caused a significant increase in taurine levels in serum and muscle at 3 and 6 hr postdosing respectively but not at other time points. Serum creatine kinase (CK), activity was slightly but significantly raised at the 12 and 24 h time point.

The effects of clenbuterol on tissue taurine content were not dose-dependent over the range studied (63–500μg/kg). However taurine levels in the lung were significantly reduced at all doses and in the heart were significantly lower in the treated groups at all except the lowest dose, 12h post dosing. Liver taurine levels were significantly increased at the highest dose of 500μg/kg.

The reduction of taurine concentrations in the heart, caused by clenbuterol, is of concern as taurine has been shown to have protective properties in many tissues especially the heart.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allo SN, Bagby L, Schaffer SW (1997) Taurine depletion, a novel mechanism for cardioprotection from regional ischemia. Am J Physiol 273: H1956-H1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Azari J, Huxtable RJ (1980) The mechanim of the adrenergic stimulaton of taurine influx in the heart. Eur J Pharmacol 61: 217–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, Otha H, Hamaguchi T, Harada H, Takihara K, Hasegawa H, Yamagami T, Ishiyama T, Iwata H, Kishimoto S (1985) Therapeutic effect of taurine in congestive heart failure: a double blind crossover trial. Clin Cardiol 8: 276–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho F, Waterfield CJ, Ferreira M, de Lourdes Bastos nM, Timbrell JM (1995) Effect of repeated exposure to salbutamol on urinary and liver taurine levels in rats. Pharmacol Commun _5:171–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Chazov EL, Malchikova LS, Asafov NV, Simirnov UN (1974) Taurine and electrical activity of the heart. Circ Res 35[suppl]III: III-11–III-21

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMaster EG, Redfern B (1987) High preformance liquid chromatography of hepatic thiols with electrochemical detection. In: Jakoby WB, Griffith OW (eds) Methods in enzymology. Academic Press, New York, pp 110–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich J, Diacono J Jr (1971) Comparison between ouabain and taurine on isolated rat and guinea-pig hearts in low calcium medium. Life Sci 10: 499–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolara P, Ledda F, Mugelli A, Mantelli L, Zilletti, L, Franconi F, Giotti A (1978) Effect of taurine on calcium, inotropism, an electrical activity of the heart. In: Barbeau A, Huxtable RJ (eds) Taurine and neurological disorders. Raven Press, New York, pp 151–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellman GL (1959) Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Arch Biochem Biophys 82: 70–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Guidotti A, Badiani G, Giotti A (1971) Potentiation by taurine of inotropic effect of strophanthin-K on guinea-pig isolated auricles. Pharmacol Res Commun 3: 29–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Huxtable RJ, Chubb J (1977) Adrenergic stimulation of taurine transport by the heart. Science 198: 409–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Huxtable RJ (1992) Physiological actions of taurine. Physiol Rev 72: 101

    Google Scholar 

  • Lombardini JB (1980) Effects of isoproterenol and methoxamine on the contents of taurine in rat tissue. J Pharm Exp Therap 213: 399–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Main BG (1990)β-adrenergic receptors. In: Emett JC (vol ed) Comprehensive medicinal chemistry, vol 3; Chapter 12.2 Membranes and receptors. Pergamon Press, Oxford New York, pp 187–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Martineau L, Horan MA, Rothwell NJ, Little RA (1992) Salbutamol, a â2-adrenoceptor agonist, increases skeletal muscle strenght in young men. Clin Sci 83: 615–621

    Google Scholar 

  • Paasonen MK, Pentilla O, Merikallio E, Siltanen P, Himburg JJ, Solatunturi EE (1982) Taurine in human auricular myocardium and blood platelets. Ann Clin Res 15: 115–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter DW, Tran T-B (1993) Apparent rates of glutathione turnover in rat tissue. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 120: 186–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG (1987) Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 237: 764–768

    Google Scholar 

  • Read WO, Welty JD (1963) Effect of taurine on epinephrine and digoxin-induced irregularities of dog heart. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 139: 283–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeds PJ, Hay SM, Dorwood PM, Palmer RH (1986) Stimulation of muscle growth by clenbuterol: lack of effect on muscle protein biosynthesis. Br J Nutr 56: 249–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterfield CJ (1994) Determination of taurine in biological samples and isolated hepatocytes by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. J Chromatog B 657: 37–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterfield CJ, Turton JA, Scales MDC, Timbrell JA (1993a) Investigations into the effects of various hepatotoxic compounds on urinary and liver taurine levels in rats. Arch Toxicol 67: 244–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterfield CJ, Turton JA, Scales MDC, Timbrell JA (1993b) Effect of various nonhepatotoxic compounds on urinary and liver taurine levels in rats. Arch Toxicol 67: 538–546

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterfield CJ, Jairath M, Asker DS, Timbrell JA (1995) The biochemical effects of clenbuterol: with particular reference to taurine and muscle damage. Europ J Pharmacol 293: 141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang YT, McElligott MA (1989) Multiple actions ofβ-adrenergic agonists on skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. (Rev. Article) Biochem J 261: 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelikovic I, Chesney RW (1989) Taurine. In: Spillar JA, Scala J (eds) New protectice roles for selected nutrients. Current topics in nutrition and disease, vol 22. Alan R. Liss Inc, New York, pp 253–294

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. C. J. Waterfield &  John A. Timbrell

    Present address: Department of Pharmacy, King's College London, Manresa Rd., SW3 6LX, London, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    M. H. Doheny, C. J. Waterfield &  John A. Timbrell

Authors
  1. M. H. Doheny
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. J. Waterfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John A. Timbrell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Doheny, M.H., Waterfield, C.J. & Timbrell, J.A. The effects of theβ2-agonist drug clenbuterol on taurine levels in heart and other tissues in the rat. Amino Acids 15, 13–25 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01345277

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01345277

Keywords

Search

Navigation