Supplementation of taurine and β-cyclodextrin to mice administered ethanol restores lipid metabolism and damaged liver

In this study we investigated the effects of taurine and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) supplementation on lipid metabolism and hepatic cell damage in mice administered with ethanol. The supplemented mice consisted of a control (CO) group, an ethanol (AL) group, and an ethanol + taurine + β-CD (ATB) group. The ethanol (45 g/L) and/or taurine (76.5 mg/L) + β-CD (153 mg/L) treatments were administered for 6 months via the drinking water. At the termination of the treatment period the following measurements were made: serum and hepatic lipids, serum enzymes, and the extent of hepatic lipid peroxidation. The serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were higher in the AL group than in the CO and ATB groups. In the ATB group, there were significant decreases in total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, as well as a slight decrease in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Hepatic triacylglycerol and malondialdehyde levels were higher in the AL group than in the CO and ATB groups. Furthermore, the ATB group had significant decreases in hepatic triacylglycerol and malondialdehyde levels. The serum levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were higher in the AL group than in the CO group. The ATB group had significant decreases in glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and the liver damage index, as well as slight decreases of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. These data suggest that the combined supplementation of taurine and β-CD improves and restores lipid metabolism and liver cell damage in mice with ethanol-induced injuries.