Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effect of taurine on immune function and T-lymphocyte proliferation in mice with zinc poisoning.MethodsThe mice of zinc poisoning model were randomly fed with different dose of taurine.The organ index was calculated.The lymphocyte proliferation was examined with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.The production of interleukin-2(IL-2)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in cells were measured with enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA).ResultsThe concentrations of TNF-α,IL-2 of the zinc poisoning control group were 9.02±1.34, 1.411±0.082 and the proliferation power of T-lymphocytes of the zinc poisoning model group was 0.0561±0.006,all of which were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.05 for all).The concentrations of TNF-α,IL-2 of zinc poisoning group with low dose taurine(200mg/kg)were 15.92±2.32,1.928±0.103 and the proliferation power was 0.1201±0.012,significantly higher than those of zinc poisoning control group(P<0.01).ConclusionTaurine could increase concentrations of TNF-α,IL-2 and promote proliferation power of T-lymphocyte in mice with zinc poisoning.Taurine has protective effect on immune function impairment in mice with zinc poisoning.