Salem, H. A., and B. M. El-Sayeh, "Potential protective effect of taurine against dibromoacetonitrile-induced neurotoxicity in rats", Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, vol. 34, pp. 849-857, 2012. AbstractWebsite

Dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN) is a disinfection by-product of water chlorination. Epidemiological
studies indicate that it might present a potential hazard to human health. The present
study aimed to investigate the possible neurotoxicity of DBAN in rats and possible protection
by taurine. Based on initial dose–response experiment, DBAN (60 mg/kg) was administrated
orally for 7 days. DBAN administration significantly impaired behavior of rats. Further,
DBAN produced significant decrease of monoamines, -aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate
contents, acetylcholinestrase (AChE) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities,
in rat brain. On the other hand, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide
(NO) contents and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was observed. Co-administration of
taurine (200 mg/kg, i.p.) with DBAN mitigated most tested parameters. In conclusion, the
present study indicates that DBAN has the propensity to cause significant oxidative damage
in rat brain. However, taurine has a promising role in attenuating the obtained hazardous
effects of DBAN.

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