Effects of taurine on serum cholesterol levels and development of atherosclerosis in spontaneously hyperlipidaemic mice.

1. The effects of two naturally occurring substances, namely taurine and catechins, on serum cholesterol levels and on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated using spontaneously hyperlipidaemic (SHL) mice as an animal model of atherogenesis. 2. Twelve weeks treatment of SHL mice with taurine (1% in drinking water) significantly elevated serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels without affecting levels of low-density lipoprotein- and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In addition, taurine suppressed the development of atherosclerotic lesions by 29%, as determined by oil red O-stained areas in cross-sections of the aorta. 3. In contrast, 12 weeks treatment with a catechin mixture had no apparent effect on serum cholesterol levels and on the progression of atherosclerosis. 4. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, an index of oxidized substances, significantly decreased from 9.6 to 6.7 nmol/mL following taurine treatment. 5. We suggest that retardation of atherosclerosis by taurine in SHL mice may be related to decreases in oxidized substances and increases in serum HDL-C levels.