EFFECT OF TAURINE ON DEPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY AND STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETES IN RATS

Aim of the Work: to investigate the effect of taurine on depression associated with obesity and streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Methods: 60 male rats were divided into six groups (10 rats each): (I:Control group) received saline intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days, (II: Taurine group) received taurine (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days, (III: Diabetic group) received a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) intraperitonealy, (IV: Obese group) were fed with high fatty diet for 8 weeks, (V:Taurine treated diabetic group) received taurine (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days after induction of diabetes, (VI: Taurine treated obese group) received taurine (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days after induction of obesity. Results:Taurine treated groups showed significant decrease in serum glucose, brain malondialdehyede (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNf-α) and immobility time of forced swim test with significant increase in brain catalase, brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serotonin and numbers of squares crossed in open field test. In addition, there is significant increase in serum insulin and body mass index with insignificant changes in insulin resistance and serum adiponectin level in taurine treated diabetic group. However, there is significant decrease in serum insulin, insulin resistance with significant increase in serum adiponectin, but insignificant change in body mass index in taurine treated obese group. Conclusion:Antidepressent effect of taurine has can be explained by its hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects.