
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of taurine and glutathione on mercury intoxicated liver tissue of rats, Rattus norvegicus. The rats were divided into six groups, keeping group I as a healthy control. Rats of groups II received mercuric chloride orally at the rate of 5 mg per kg body weight daily for 30 days. Group III and IV of animals received Taurine and Glutathione followed by mercuric chloride treatments. Group V and VI of animals received Taurine and Glutathione alone treatments. In the present study, cytometric measurement of liver cells and its nucleus size were observed. Due to the mercury intoxication the cell and nucleus size of hepatocytes were increased in the liver tissue. After the scheduled treatment, the mercury intoxicated rats again dosed with taurine and glutathione (5 mg per kg body weight) for 15 days respectively. The result shows that the increased size of the cell and nucleus were decreased to near normal size. Concomitant administration of taurine and glutathione were found to reduce the cell and nucleus size of liver cells is mainly due to their hepatoprotective action.