Protective effect of taurine against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in perfused chick hearts

The ability of taurine to protect the isolated heart against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity was examined. Chick hearts perfused for 20 min with medium containing 17 microM doxorubicin exhibited a decrease in contractility, an increase in resting tension and a dramatic depletion in tissue high energy phosphate content. Addition of 20 mM taurine to the perfusate attenuated the increase in resting tension and the decrease in myocardial adenosine triphosphate content induced by doxorubicin. The present study confirms our previous in vivo observations that taurine partially prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.