Radio-protective effects of Loliolus beka gray meat consisted of a plentiful taurine against damages caused by gamma ray irradiation

Abstract

Gamma ray irradiation causes immune suppression, in which oxidative stress reduces cell viability and damages immune cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Loliolus beka gray meat (LBM), which contains large amounts of taurine, protects against damage of murine splenocytes by oxidative stress. An aqueous extract of LBM (LBMW) was prepared, which contained plentiful levels of taurine. LBMW improved cell viability of gamma ray-irradiated murine splenocytes, an effect that was associated with significant reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also showed that the production of nitric oxide (NO) and ROS in gamma ray-irradiated zebrafish embryos, as well as the death of the embryos, were diminished by LBMW. These data suggest that the consumption of taurine-rich foods, such as LBM, may be used in the protection of cells against oxidative stress.