Perinatal taurine depletion increases susceptibility to adult sugar-induced hypertension in rats.

This study tests the hypothesis that perinatal taurine depletion produces autonomic nervous system dysregulation and increases arterial pressure in young male rats maintained on a high sugar diet. Sprague-Dawley dams were either taurine depleted (beta-alanine 3% in water) or left untreated from conception to weaning. Their male offspring were fed normal rat chow with or without 5% glucose. At 7-8 weeks of age, the male offspring were either tested in a conscious, unrestrained state or after anesthetia. Body weight was slightly lower in the taurine-depleted rats although their heart or kidneys to body weight ratios were similar. Plasma potassium, blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose concentrations and glucose tolerance were all similar. In the taurine-depleted, high glucose group, mean arterial pressure and sympathetic nervous system activity were increased while baroreflex function was impaired. These findings suggest that in this model perinatal taurine depletion causes autonomic nervous system dysfunction that may contribute to dietary high sugar-induced hypertension.