Abstract:

Objective  To study the effects of taurine on 7，12-dimethyl benzene ［a］ anthracene（DMBA）-induced breast cancer in rats and its mechanism of action. Methods A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups： taurine intervention group，model control group and blank control group. Rats in taurine intervention group  and model control group  were given DMBA （15 mg/100 g） by one-time gavage，while rats in blank control group were given peanut oil （1 mL/100 g）. Animals in taurine intervention group  also received 3% taurine in their drinking water. All rats could drink water and eat ad libitum. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results Compared with model control group ，taurine intervention group  showed a lower rate of tumorigenesis，longer tumor latency，and smaller total number of tumors（P<0.05）. Tumor volume and mouse body weight were similar between taurine intervention group and model control group（P＞0.05）. Levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower in taurine intervention group  than in model control group（P＜0.05），significantly higher in model control group than in blank control group［（41.41±10.10）pg/mL vs （20.00±10.10） pg/mL，P＜0.05 ；（71.72±25.83） pg/mL vs （42.00±16.69） pg/mL，P＜0.05）］，and similar between taurine intervention group and blank control group［（22.48±10.38）pg/mL vs（20.00±10.10） pg/mL，P＞0.05；（42.52±9.15） pg/mL vs（42.00±16.69） pg/mL，P＞0.05）］. Conclusions Taurine has a significant inhibitory effect on the development of DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats. Taurine may exert these effects by regulating the body's inflammatory and immune responses.

Key words: Breast neoplasms, Taurine, 7, 12-dimethyl benzene［a］anthracene, Rat, Tumorigenic rate, IL-6, TNF-α