Effects of injection of 3-acetylpyridine on the levels of taurine in the cerebellum and medulla of the rat: a reappraisal.

Values for taurine in a 5% TCA extract of whole rat medulla were decreased by 19% after acid hydrolysis of samples. Values for taurine in a similar extract of rat cerebellum were unaffected by hydrolysis. The values for taurine were lower in the medulla and cerebellum of 3-acetylpyridine treated rat (65 mg/kp i.p.) when the unhydrolyzed TCA extract was assayed. However, when the hydrolyzed TCA extract was assayed, the level of taurine in the medulla was not lower in the 3-AP treatment rat but it was reduced in the cerebella of the drug-treated group. 3-Acetylpyridine appeared to reduce the levels in the medulla of acid-labile compounds which can interfere with the estimation of taurine.