Potassium bromate (KBrO3), a strong oxidizing agent, is widely used in various industrial settings, thereby increasing the risk of oxidative damage and subsequent tissue toxicity in individuals who are exposed to it. Additionally, KBrO3 has been used as a maturing agent and is also generated as a by-product during water disinfection process. Previously, we have demonstrated that KBrO3 causes oxidative damage to human erythrocytes. The present work shows the protective effects of taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) against oxidative stress induced by KBrO3 in human erythrocytes. Erythrocytes from healthy donors were incubated with either KBrO3 alone or taurine alone and KBrO3 plus varying concentrations of taurine. The treatment of erythrocytes with KBrO3 caused disruption in the oxidative-reductive homeostasis as evidenced by severe alterations in antioxidant enzyme functions and a marked depletion in total sulfhydryl content. Exposure of erythrocytes to KBrO3 also caused the elevation in methemoglobin levels, protein carbonyls, hydrogen peroxide levels, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation. However, the KBrO3-induced cellular/biochemical alterations were greatly protected by taurine. These results suggest that taurine significantly decreases the toxic effects of KBrO3 in human erythrocytes.
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