Protective Effect of Taurine in the Induction of Genotoxicity by Mutagenic Drugs

Genotoxicity is a toxic action of several drugs, such as anti-neoplastic and nitro-related compounds. TAU (Taurine, 2-aminoetano sulfonic acid) is an important and potent antioxidant amino acid involved in the maintenance of homeostasis in many systems like leukocytes, skeletal muscle, the heart, the kidney, the liver, the bowel, the brain and the retina. The aim of this work was evaluated by the protective effect of TAU co-administered with mutagenic drugs such as benznidazole, cyclophosphamide, hydroxyurea, metronidazole, and nitrofurazone in an in vivo model using a micronucleus assay, evaluatation for the ability of different substances to promote DNA injury. The results showed that TAU decreased genotoxic activity of all drugs suggesting that the protective action of TAU supplementation can be beneficial to reduce genotoxicity of drugs. In this context, we propose one possible mechanism for how TAU blocks the chromosomal aberrations caused by the action of genotoxic substances.