Role of Taurine on Glycolytic and Gluconeogenic Enzymes in 7, 12,-Dimethyl Benz (A) Anthracene–Induced Breast Cancer in Spraque–Dawley Rats

Vanitha Manickam Kalappan^1*, Anandakumar Pandi², Sakthisekaran Dhanapal^1
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai- 600 113, India.
²Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, P.B.No.396, Ethiopia.

A B S T R A C T
Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death and among one of the most aggressive metastasis disease worldwide. 7,12–Dimethyl Benz (a) anthracene (DMBA) is a well-known breast carcinogen. Taurine is sulfur containing β amino acid.  Taurine interacts with RNA and DNA and exert its protective effects against alkylating agents, radiation and other carcinogens. In the present study, the effect of taurine on glycolytic & gluconeogenic enzymes in DMBA induced breast cancer was studied. DMBA (25 mg/kg body weight) induced breast cancer bearing animals showed abnormal alterations in the activities of key glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver and breast tissues.  The effect of taurine (100 mg/kg body weight) post-treatment was studied on DMBA induced breast cancer bearing rats. Post-treatment with taurine significantly decreased the activities of hexokinase, phosphogluco isomerase & aldolase; and increased the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase & fructose-6-phosphatase. This clearly shows that taurine may interrupt the energy requirement of neoplastic tissues leading to the suppression of cancer progression. In conclusion, the results suggest that taurine has a definite positive influence on energy metabolism that proves its chemotherapeutic efficacy against DMBA- induced breast cancer.
Keywords: Taurine, DMBA, breast cancer, glycolytic enzymes, gluconeogenic enzymes