Taurine ameliorates lung injury induced by VOCs inhalation exposure in young rats

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is associated with an increased risk of lung function impairment and inflammation, particularly in infants and children. However, there is still lack of effective protective methods. Thus, this study investigates the protective effects of taurine against lung injury in young rats induced by inhalation of typical VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylene and formaldehyde). The young rats were exposed to different groups (Control, VOCs model, VOCs+0.5 % taurine and VOCs+1 % taurine) via nose-only inhalation for 4 weeks. The results showed that VOCs inhalation exposure resulted in slower weight gain, reduced food intake, alterations of lung function indices, including decrease of tidal volume (TV), minute ventilation (MV), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and expiratory flow at 50 % ventilation (EF50), and increase of respiratory depression (Rinx) in young rats. Moreover, VOCs inhalation exposure induced decreased serum glutathione (GSH) activity was, and increased MDA activity, 8-OHDG levels, and concentrations of IL-2, IL-1β and NF-κB. Histopathological analysis revealed sloughing of tracheal epithelial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration under the tracheal epithelium, inflammatory cell infiltration in alveoli and widening of the alveolar septa in young rats treated by VOCs. While, 1 % taurine treatment dramatically improved the tracheal and lung tissue damage, oxidative stress and inflammation marker levels. This demonstrated that 1 % taurine significantly improves lung function and prevents the progression of lung injury, which is due to the effective prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation. This study demonstrates a novel effective protection method against VOCs inhalation exposure.