Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is widely used as a food additive and is a major water disinfection by-product. Several studies have shown that it causes nephrotoxicity in humans and experimental animals. We have investigated the potential role of the sulfonic amino acid taurine in protecting the kidney from KBrO3-induced damage in rats. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, KBrO3 alone, taurine alone and taurine + KBrO3. Administration of single oral dose of KBrO3 alone caused nephrotoxicity as evident by elevated serum creatinine and urea levels. Renal lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls were increased while total sulfhydryl groups and reduced glutathione levels were decreased suggesting the induction of oxidative stress. The enzymes of renal brush border membrane were inhibited and those of carbohydrate metabolism were altered. There was an increase in DNA damage and DNA-protein cross-linking. Treatment with taurine, prior to administration of KBrO3, resulted in significant attenuation in all these parameters but the administration of taurine alone had no effect. Histological studies supported these biochemical results showing extensive renal damage in KBrO3-treated animals and greatly reduced tissue injury in the taurine + KBrO3 group. These results show that taurine is an effective chemoprotectant against bromate-induced renal damage and this amino acid could prove to be useful in attenuating the toxicity of this compound.