Taurine Inhibited Uric Acid Uptake in HK-2 Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

It has been confirmed by our laboratory that taurine could decrease uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats and regulate the expressions of some urate transporters. The present study aims to investigate the effects of taurine on uric acid uptake in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). The cell growth inhibition rate was measured by MTS assay, which was up to 50% after treatment with 1.5 mmol/L uric acid. After administration of 15 mmol/L taurine, the inhibition rate and uric acid uptake were both significantly decreased. Then the HK-2 cells were grouped as follows: control group (C); model group (M), in which 1.5 mmol/L uric acid was added to the medium; taurine group (MT), in which 1.5 mmol/L uric acid and 15 mmol/L taurine were added to the medium; and taurine control group (T), in which 15 mmol/L taurine was added to the medium. The mRNA and protein expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 were measured by real-time PCR and western-blot. The results showed that URAT1 and GLUT9 mRNA/protein expression levels in group M were significantly increased compared with group C, and they were both down-regulated in MT group. In addition, the expression levels of these two transporters in group T were significantly lower than group C. The results indicated that taurine could inhibit uric acid uptake and down-regulate the expressions of URAT1 and GLUT9 in HK-2 cells.