Changes in urinary taurine and hypotaurine excretion after two-thirds hepatectomy in the rat

Summary This study followed the time course of urinary taurine and hypotaurine excretion after two-thirds hepatectomy in rats. The excretion of both taurine and hypotaurine was elevated during 18th following the hepatectomy, with maximal excretion during the first 6h. Twelve and 24h after partial hepatectomy, the hepatic hypotaurine concentration was increased but liver taurine did not differ significantly from controls. No changes were observed in hypotaurine and taurine concentrations of heart, kidney, lung, muscle tissue and spleen. We postulate that partial hepatectomy induces a rapid increase of hepatic (hypo)taurine synthesis from precursor amino acids. The increased (hypo)taurine concentrations spill over into urine.