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Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Dec 2016Taurine is an amino acid found abundantly in brain, retina, heart, and reproductive organ cells, as well as in meat and seafood. But it is also a major ingredient in... (Review)
Review
Taurine is an amino acid found abundantly in brain, retina, heart, and reproductive organ cells, as well as in meat and seafood. But it is also a major ingredient in popular "energy drinks," which thus constitute a major source of taurine supplementation. Unfortunately, little is known about taurine's neuroendocrine effects. The authors review the sparse data and provide a basic background on the structure, synthesis, distribution, metabolism, mechanisms, effects, safety, and currently proposed therapeutic targets of taurine.
Topics: Energy Drinks; Humans; Neurosecretory Systems; Taurine; Young Adult
PubMed: 27938518
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15050 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Jun 2023Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline...
Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline with aging in mice, monkeys, and humans. A reversal of this decline through taurine supplementation increased the health span (the period of healthy living) and life span in mice and health span in monkeys. Mechanistically, taurine reduced cellular senescence, protected against telomerase deficiency, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased DNA damage, and attenuated inflammaging. In humans, lower taurine concentrations correlated with several age-related diseases and taurine concentrations increased after acute endurance exercise. Thus, taurine deficiency may be a driver of aging because its reversal increases health span in worms, rodents, and primates and life span in worms and rodents. Clinical trials in humans seem warranted to test whether taurine deficiency might drive aging in humans.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Aging; Cellular Senescence; Haplorhini; Longevity; Taurine; Dietary Supplements; DNA Damage; Telomerase
PubMed: 37289866
DOI: 10.1126/science.abn9257 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, has attracted significant attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Found in various... (Review)
Review
Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, has attracted significant attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Found in various foods and often used in energy drinks and supplements, taurine has been studied extensively to understand its impact on human physiology. Determining its exact functional roles represents a complex and multifaceted topic. We provide an overview of the scientific literature and present an analysis of the effects of taurine on various aspects of human health, focusing on aging and cardiovascular pathophysiology, but also including athletic performance, metabolic regulation, and neurological function. Additionally, our report summarizes the current recommendations for taurine intake and addresses potential safety concerns. Evidence from both human and animal studies indicates that taurine may have beneficial cardiovascular effects, including blood pressure regulation, improved cardiac fitness, and enhanced vascular health. Its mechanisms of action and antioxidant properties make it also an intriguing candidate for potential anti-aging strategies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Taurine; Heart; Antioxidants; Dietary Supplements; Aging
PubMed: 37836520
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194236 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2021Taurine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid that is found abundantly in excitatory tissues, such as the heart, brain, retina and skeletal muscles.... (Review)
Review
Taurine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid that is found abundantly in excitatory tissues, such as the heart, brain, retina and skeletal muscles. Taurine was first isolated in the 1800s, but not much was known about this molecule until the 1990s. In 1985, taurine was first approved as the treatment among heart failure patients in Japan. Accumulating studies have shown that taurine supplementation also protects against pathologies associated with mitochondrial defects, such as aging, mitochondrial diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. In this review, we will provide a general overview on the mitochondria biology and the consequence of mitochondrial defects in pathologies. Then, we will discuss the antioxidant action of taurine, particularly in relation to the maintenance of mitochondria function. We will also describe several reported studies on the current use of taurine supplementation in several mitochondria-associated pathologies in humans.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Diseases; Taurine
PubMed: 34443494
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164913 -
Nutrients Apr 2023According to reports, supplementation with appropriate doses of taurine may help to reduce visual fatigue. Presently, some progress has been made in research related to... (Review)
Review
According to reports, supplementation with appropriate doses of taurine may help to reduce visual fatigue. Presently, some progress has been made in research related to taurine in eye health, but the lack of systematic summaries has led to the neglect of its application in the relief of visual fatigue. This paper, therefore, provides a systematic review of the sources of taurine, including the endogenous metabolic and exogenous dietary pathways, as well as a detailed review of the distribution and production of exogenous taurine. The physiological mechanisms underlying the production of visual fatigue are summarized and the research progress of taurine in relieving visual fatigue is reviewed, including the safety of consumption and the mechanism of action in relieving visual fatigue, in order to provide some reference basis and inspiration for the development and application of taurine in functional foods for relieving visual fatigue.
Topics: Humans; Taurine; Asthenopia; Diet; Functional Food; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37111062
DOI: 10.3390/nu15081843 -
Molecular Medicine Reports Aug 2021Taurine is a fundamental mediator of homeostasis that exerts multiple roles to confer protection against oxidant stress. The development of hypertension,... (Review)
Review
Taurine is a fundamental mediator of homeostasis that exerts multiple roles to confer protection against oxidant stress. The development of hypertension, muscle/neuro‑associated disorders, hepatic cirrhosis, cardiac dysfunction and ischemia/reperfusion are examples of some injuries that are linked with oxidative stress. The present review gives a comprehensive description of all the underlying mechanisms of taurine, with the aim to explain its anti‑oxidant actions. Taurine is regarded as a cytoprotective molecule due to its ability to sustain normal electron transport chain, maintain glutathione stores, upregulate anti‑oxidant responses, increase membrane stability, eliminate inflammation and prevent calcium accumulation. In parallel, the synergistic effect of taurine with other potential therapeutic modalities in multiple disorders are highlighted. Apart from the results derived from research findings, the current review bridges the gap between bench and bedside, providing mechanistic insights into the biological activity of taurine that supports its potential therapeutic efficacy in clinic. In the future, further clinical studies are required to support the ameliorative effect of taurine against oxidative stress.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Heart Diseases; Homeostasis; Humans; Liver Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Taurine
PubMed: 34184084
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12242 -
JAMA Aug 2018Alcohol consumption is associated with 88 000 US deaths annually. Although routine screening for heavy alcohol use can identify patients with alcohol use disorder... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Alcohol consumption is associated with 88 000 US deaths annually. Although routine screening for heavy alcohol use can identify patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and has been recommended, only 1 in 6 US adults report ever having been asked by a health professional about their drinking behavior. Alcohol use disorder, a problematic pattern of alcohol use accompanied by clinically significant impairment or distress, is present in up to 14% of US adults during a 1-year period, although only about 8% of affected individuals are treated in an alcohol treatment facility.
OBSERVATIONS
Four medications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat AUD: disulfiram, naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable formulations), and acamprosate. However, patients with AUD most commonly receive counseling. Medications are prescribed to less than 9% of patients who are likely to benefit from them, given evidence that they exert clinically meaningful effects and their inclusion in clinical practice guidelines as first-line treatments for moderate to severe AUD. Naltrexone, which can be given once daily, reduces the likelihood of a return to any drinking by 5% and binge-drinking risk by 10%. Randomized clinical trials also show that some medications approved for other indications, including seizure disorder (eg, topiramate), are efficacious in treating AUD. Currently, there is not sufficient evidence to support the use of pharmacogenetics to personalize AUD treatments.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Alcohol consumption is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality, and heavy alcohol use is the major risk factor for AUD. Simple, valid screening methods can be used to identify patients with heavy alcohol use, who can then be evaluated for the presence of an AUD. Patients receiving a diagnosis of the disorder should be given brief counseling and prescribed a first-line medication (eg, naltrexone) or referred for a more intensive psychosocial intervention.
Topics: Acamprosate; Alcohol Deterrents; Alcoholism; Counseling; Disulfiram; Humans; Naltrexone; Taurine
PubMed: 30167705
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.11406 -
Redox Biology Jun 2019Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid and known as semi-essential in mammals and is produced chiefly by the liver and kidney. It presents in different organs,... (Review)
Review
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid and known as semi-essential in mammals and is produced chiefly by the liver and kidney. It presents in different organs, including retina, brain, heart and placenta and demonstrates extensive physiological activities within the body. In the several disease models, it attenuates inflammation- and oxidative stress-mediated injuries. Taurine also modulates ER stress, Ca homeostasis and neuronal activity at the molecular level as part of its broader roles. Different cellular processes such as energy metabolism, gene expression, osmosis and quality control of protein are regulated by taurine. In addition, taurine displays potential ameliorating effects against different neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, epilepsy and diabetic neuropathy and protects against injuries and toxicities of the nervous system. Several findings demonstrate its therapeutic role against neurodevelopmental disorders, including Angelman syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, sleep-wake disorders, neural tube defects and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Considering current biopharmaceutical limitations, developing novel delivery approaches and new derivatives and precursors of taurine may be an attractive option for treating neurological disorders. Herein, we present an overview on the therapeutic potential of taurine against neurological disorders and highlight clinical studies and its molecular mechanistic roles. This article also addresses the neuropharmacological potential of taurine analogs.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Taurine
PubMed: 31141786
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101223 -
Nutrients Mar 2022Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and their associated comorbidities impact brain metabolism and function and constitute risk factors for cognitive impairment. Alterations to... (Review)
Review
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and their associated comorbidities impact brain metabolism and function and constitute risk factors for cognitive impairment. Alterations to taurine homeostasis can impact a number of biological processes, such as osmolarity control, calcium homeostasis, and inhibitory neurotransmission, and have been reported in both metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. Models of neurodegenerative disorders show reduced brain taurine concentrations. On the other hand, models of insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin resistance, and diet-induced obesity display taurine accumulation in the hippocampus. Given the possible cytoprotective actions of taurine, such cerebral accumulation of taurine might constitute a compensatory mechanism that attempts to prevent neurodegeneration. The present article provides an overview of brain taurine homeostasis and reviews the mechanisms by which taurine can afford neuroprotection in individuals with obesity and diabetes. We conclude that further research is needed for understanding taurine homeostasis in metabolic disorders with an impact on brain function.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dietary Supplements; Hippocampus; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Neuroprotection; Taurine
PubMed: 35334949
DOI: 10.3390/nu14061292 -
Nutrients Sep 2020Taurine is a non-protein amino acid that is expressed in the majority of animal tissues. With its unique sulfonic acid makeup, taurine influences cellular functions,... (Review)
Review
Taurine is a non-protein amino acid that is expressed in the majority of animal tissues. With its unique sulfonic acid makeup, taurine influences cellular functions, including osmoregulation, antioxidation, ion movement modulation, and conjugation of bile acids. Taurine exerts anti-inflammatory effects that improve diabetes and has shown benefits to the cardiovascular system, possibly by inhibition of the renin angiotensin system. The beneficial effects of taurine are reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Inflammation; Obesity; Taurine
PubMed: 32957558
DOI: 10.3390/nu12092847