Taurine increases cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity and fecal bile acids excretion but does not reduce the plasma cholesterol concentration in ovariectomized rats fed with coconut oil

We studied the effect of taurine on ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia in 6-month-old, ovariectomized rats fed with coconut oil. Rats were fed 1 of 4 diets for 28 days: purified diet based on coconut oil without or with taurine (10, 30, or 50 g/kg, called the C, 10T, 30T and 50T diets, respectively). Coconut oil is rich in lauric and myristic acids, which are saturated fatty acids that reduce the level of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor activity. Plasma cholesterol level was not affected by the diet. The low-density lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA levels in the liver increased by feeding the 50T diet compared with the C diet. As the dietary level of taurine increased, the levels of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, and fecal bile acids excretion logarithmically increased. Our results showed that taurine increased fecal bile acids excretion but did not prevent ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats fed with coconut oil. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.