Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Taurine protects against PMN dysfunction and death in urine

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Urological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) is the primary pro-inflammatory cell in the host response to bacterial infection and, as the first line of defence, is the principal cell responsible for the recognition, phagocytosis and killing of bacteria. PMN function is known to be defective in the urine. High osmolarity is physiologic in the urine and this hypertonic environment has been shown to compromise neutrophil function. In this study, PMN function was found to be suppressed in urine. This correlated with significant cell death, both by apoptosis and necrosis. The amino acid taurine down regulated PMN cell death and preserved function in the urine, suggesting taurine as a therapeutic option for urinary tract infection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mulvey MA, Schilling JD, Martinez JJ, Hultgren SJ (2000) Bad bugs and beleagured bladders; interplay between uropathogenic Escherichia coli and innate host defenses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97: 8747

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Norden AG, Flynn FV (1983) Degradation of beta 2-microglobulin in infected urine by leukocyte elastase-like activity. Clin Chim Acta 134: 167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Frendeus B, Godaly C, Hang L, Karpman D, Svaborg C (2001) Interleukin-8 receptor deficiency confers susceptibility to acute pyelonephriris. J Infect Dis 183 [Suppl]: S56

  4. Haraoka M, Hang L, Frendeus B, Giodaly G, Burdick M, Strieter R, Svanborg C (1999) Neutrophil recruitment and resistance to mucosal infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli. J Infect Dis 180: 1220

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fukushi Y, Oriksa S (1981) The role of intravesical polymorphonuclear leukocytes in experimental cystitis. Invest Urol 18: 471

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Maeda S, Deguchi T, Kanimoto Y, Kuriyama M, Kawada Y, Nishiura T, (1983) Studies on the phagocytic function of urinary leukocytes. J Urol 129: 427

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Condron C, Toomey D, Casey RTG, Shaffii M, Creagh T, Bouchier-Hayes D (2003) Neutrophil bactericidal function is defective in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. Urol Res 31: 329

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Matsumoto T, Bonnet M, Husson M, Kumazawa J, Van der Auwera P (1988) Effect of NaCl and urea concentration comparable to renal medulla on superoxide production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Urol Res 116: 367

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gargan R A, Hamilton-Miller JMT, Brumfitt W (1993) Effect of pH and osmolarity on in vitro phagocytosis and killing by neutrophils in urine. Infect Immun 61: 8

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gargan RA, Hamilton-Miller JM (1994) Opsonophagocytosis in infected urine: relation to pH and osmolality. J Urol 152: 1615

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kubo S, Matsumoto T, Sakumoto M, Mochida O, Abe Y, Kumazawa J (1998) Effect of urine components on leukocyte chemiluminescence response. Renal Failure 20: 75

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Matsumoto T, Kumazawa J, Van der Auwera P (1989) Suppression of leukocyte function and intracellular content of ATP in hyperosmotic condition comparable to the renal medulla. J Urol 142: 399

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Adebodun F, Post JFM (1993) 19F NMR studies of changes in membrane potential and intracellular volume during dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in human leukemic cell lines. J Cell Physiol 154: 199

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Maeno E, Ishizaki Y, Kanaseki T, Hazama A, Okada Y (2000) Normotonic cell shrinkage because of disordered volume regulation is an early prerequisite to apoptosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A97: 9487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Huxtable RJ (1992) Physiological actions of taurine. Physiol Rev 72: 101

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fukada K, Hirai Y, Yoshida H, Nakajima T, Usai T (1982) Free amino acid pool content of lymphocytes and granulocytes compared. Clin Chem 28: 1758

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Thurston JH, Hauhart RE, Dirgo JA (1980).Taurine: a role in osmotic regulation of mammalian brain and possible clinical significance. Life Sci 26: 1561

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Timbrell JA, Seabra V, Waterfield CJ (1995) The in vivo and in vitro protective properties of taurine. Gen Pharmacol 26: 453

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Redmond HP, Wang JH, Watson RWG, Bouchier-Hayes D (1994) Restoration of ‘tired’ neutrophil anti-microbial function by aprotinin is dependent on the presence of taurine. Surg Forum 80: 573

    Google Scholar 

  20. Condron C, Neary P, Toomey D, Redmond HP, Bouchier-Hayes D (2003) Taurine attenuates calcium-dependent, Fas-mediated neutrophil apoptosis. Shock 19: 564

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Watson RGW, Redmond HP, Wang JH, Bouchier-Hayes D (1996) Mechanisms involved in sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis of human neutrophils. J Leukoc Biol 60: 625

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Paauw JD, Davis AT (1994) Taurine supplementation at three different dosages and its effect on trauma patients. Am J Clin Nutr 60: 203

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rao WH, Murdoch C, Johnson JR, Evans GS, Finn A (2001) Uropathogenic Escherichia coli-induced neutrophil adhesion to urinary epithelium is strain-specific and mediated by CD11b/CD18. Urol Res 29: 102

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Reinehr R, Schliess F, Haussinger D (2002) Hyperosmolarity and CD95L trigger CD95/EGF receptor association and tyrosine phosphorylation of CD95 as prerequisites for CD95 membrane trafficking and DISC formation. FASEB J 17: 731

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lang F, Madlung J, Uhlemann AC, Risler T, Gulbins E (1998) Cellular taurine release triggered by stimulation of the Fas (CD95) receptor in Jurkat lymphocytes. Pflügers Archiv 436: 377

    Google Scholar 

  26. Watson RGW, Redmond HP, Wang JH, Bouchier-Hayes D (1996) Mechanisms involved in sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis of human neutrophils. J Leukoc Biol 60: 625

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Edashige K,. WatanabeY, SatoEF, TakeharaY, UtsumiK (1993) Reversible priming and protein-tyrosyl phosphorylation in human peripheral neutrophils under hypotonic conditions. Arch Biochem Biophys 302: 343

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hang L, Haraoka M, Agace WW, Leffler H, Burdick M, Strieter R, Svanborg C (1999) Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 is required for neutrophil passage across the epithelial barrier of the infected urinary tract. J Immunol 162: 3037

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Le Bon A, Wache AC, Papiernik M (1999) In vivo elimination of viral superantigen-activated CD4+ T cells: apoptosis occurs at a distance from the activation site. Int Immunol 11: 373

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Agace W, Hedges S, Ceska M, Svanborg C, (1993) IL-8 and the neutrophil response to mucosal Gram negative infection. J Clin Invest 92: 780

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Otto G, Braconier J, Andreasson A, Svanborg C (1999) Interleukin-6 and disease severity in patients with bacteremic and nonbacteremic febrile urinary tract infection. J Infect Dis 179: 172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland

    Claire M. Condron, Deirdre M. Toomey, Rowan G. Casey, Tom Creagh & David J. Bouchier-Hayes

  2. Department of Urology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland

    Tom Creagh

Authors
  1. Claire M. Condron
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Deirdre M. Toomey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rowan G. Casey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tom Creagh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. David J. Bouchier-Hayes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claire M. Condron.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Condron, C.M., Toomey, D.M., Casey, R.G. et al. Taurine protects against PMN dysfunction and death in urine. Urol Res 32, 338–345 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-004-0420-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00240-004-0420-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation