The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective role of orally administered
taurine against diabetic
retinal changes via electroretinogram (ERG) and
retinal histology on rabbits. Rabbits were randomly assigned into groups: Group I (vehicle administration only); Group II (diabetes: induced by 100 mg/kg
alloxan injection); Group III (diabetes and fed with 200 mg/kg
taurine); and Group IV (diabetes and fed with 400 mg/kg
taurine). The
body weight and
blood glucose levels of the rabbits were monitored weekly. The ERG was measured on weeks 5 and 15.
Retinal histology was analyzed in the end of the experiment. Results revealed that a
taurine supplement significantly ameliorates the
alloxan-induced
hyperglycemia and protects the retina from electrophysiological changes. Group II showed a significant (P < 0.05) change in the mean scotopic b-wave amplitude when compared to that of Group I, whereas the diabetic rabbits treated with
taurine (Group III and IV) were analogous to Group I. Histologically, the amount of Bipolar and Müller cells showed no difference (P > 0.05) between all groups and when compared with those of Group I. Our study provides solid evidences that
taurine possesses an
antidiabetic activity, reduced loss of
body weight, and less electrophysiological changes of the diabetic retina.