AIM: To study the protective effects of taurine-magnesium complex (TMC) on endothelium and hemorheology in rats. METHODS: A model of the endothelial damage was made by means of giving rats an injection of adrenaline and making them swim in ice-cold water, then number of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) in whole blood, plasma ET-1 and NO_2~-/NO_3~- content, NOS activity and rheology were determined, respectively. The protective effects of TMC were also observed. RESULTS: An increase in the number of CEC accompanied by abnormal whole blood viscosity, and endothelium-derived ET-1 were observed in model rats. Both the NO_2~-/NO_3~- content and NOS activity were declined significantly in model rats. TMC reduced the number of CEC, resumed NO_2~-/NO_3~- content and NOS activity, and improved the whole blood viscosity in a dose-dependent manner in model rats. CONCLUSION: Ice-cold water bath with adrenaline causes an acute damage of vascular endothelium and abnormal rheology. TMC protects against the injury of vascular endothelium and improves the hemorheology. [