Increased Urinary Excretion of Taurine and Urea by Rats after X-Irradiation

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Abstract
The effect of whole-body, x-irradiation on the daily and hourly excretion of urea, taurine, sulfate and creatinine was investigated in the fasting rat. Exposure to whole-body X-irradiation results in an increase in the daily excretion of taurine, urea and sulfate, but not in the daily excretion of creatinine. At all doses investigated (75 to 2500 r) the greatest excretion of urea and taurine was evident on the day following X-irradiation. For doses up to 250 r the daily excretion of taurine, urea and sulfate increased with increasing dose, while at doses greater than 250 r there was no further increase. On an hourly basis, excessive taurine and urea excretion was evident within 3 hours after irradiation and the peak excretion rates occurred 5 hours after irradiation. Thereafter, the hourly elimination of taurine declined rapidly, while that of urea decreased gradually. Increases in the hourly excretion rate of sulfate and creatinine were not observed. Adrenalectomy prevented the daily increases in urea and sulfate excretion, but did not prevent the increase in taurine excretion. Possible interpretations of the findings are discussed.