Taurine and cardiac disease: state of the art and perspectives
Ghassan Bkaily2019, Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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Abstract
Taurine is a nonessential amino acid that has received much attention. Two organs, the heart and the brain, are known to produce their own taurine, but in very limited quantities. It is for this reason that supplementation with this amino acid is necessary. Today, taurine is present in almost all energy drinks. A very vast literature reported beneficial effects of taurine in hepatic dysfunction, gastrointestinal injury, kidney diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Most of its effects were attributed to its modulation of Ca2+homeostasis as well as to its antioxidant properties. In this review, we will focus on the current status of taurine modulation of the cardiovascular system and discuss future avenues for its use as a supplement therapy in a specific cardiovascular disease, namely hypertrophy, and heart failure.
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Beneficial Effects of Taurine on Metabolic Parameters in Animals and Humans
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a non-essential amino acid mainly obtained through diet in humans. Despite the lack of research on the health effects of taurine in animals and humans, it is widely used as a dietary supplement. Evidence from human and animal studies indicates that taurine is involved in conjugation of bile acids and regulation of blood pressure and has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesogenic properties. Taurine can benefit both human and non-human animal health in multiple ways. However, few interventional and epidemiological studies regarding the beneficial impacts of taurine in humans and other animals have been conducted. Here, we review the evidence from animal and human studies showing that taurine protects against dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.
A long-term treatment with taurine prevents cardiac dysfunction in mdx mice
Translational Research, 2019
Taurine is an amino acid abundantly present in heart and skeletal muscle. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder in which the absence of dystrophin leads to skeletal muscle wasting and heart failure. An altered taurine metabolism has been described in dystrophic animals and short-term taurine administration exerts promising amelioration of early muscular alterations in the mdx mouse model of DMD. To reinforce the therapeutic and nutraceutical taurine potential in DMD, we evaluated the effects of a long-term treatment on cardiac and skeletal muscle function of mdx mice in a later disease stage. Taurine was administered in drinking water (1g/kg/day) to wt and mdx mice for 6 months, starting at 6 months of age. Ultrasonography evaluation of heart and hind limb was performed, in parallel with in vivo and ex vivo functional tests and biochemical, histological and gene expression analyses. 12-month-old mdx mice showed a significant worsening of left ventricular function parameters (shortening fraction, ejection fraction, stroke volume), which were significantly counteracted by the taurine treatment. In parallel, histology signs of damage were reduced by taurine along with the expression of pro-inflammatory myocardial IL-6. Interestingly, no effects were observed on hind limb volume and percentage of vascularization or on in vivo and ex vivo muscle functional parameters, suggesting a tissue-specific action of taurine in relation to the disease phase. A trend toward increase in taurine was found in heart and quadriceps from treated animals, paralleled by a slight decrease in mdx mice plasma. Our study provides evidences that taurine can prevent late heart dysfunction in mdx mice, further corroborating the interest on this amino acid toward clinical trials.
Protective role of taurine against oxidative stress (Review)
Molecular Medicine Reports, 2021
Taurine is a fundamental mediator of homeostasis that exerts multiple roles to confer protection against oxidant stress. The development of hypertension, muscle/neuroassociated 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. Contents 1. Introduction 2. The role of taurine in homeostasis 3. The role of taurine against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms 4. The beneficial effect of taurine against neuro-associated disorders 5. The anti-oxidant efficacy of taurine against cardiacassociated oxidative stress 6. The regulatory importance of taurine in ischemia and reperfusion 7. The anti-oxidant efficacy of taurine against muscle-associated disorders 8. The anti-oxidant efficacy of taurine against hepatic-associated stress 9. The anti-oxidant properties of taurine in various toxicmediated insults 10. Conclusions
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American Journal of Physiology-heart and Circulatory Physiology, 1981
Atrophic Cardiac Remodeling Induced by Taurine Deficiency in Wistar Rats
PLoS ONE, 2012
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Taurine Improves Lipid Metabolism and Increases Resistance to Oxidative Stress
Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 2020
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Taurine Supplementation Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Cardiovascular Function in an Iron-Overload Murine Model
Circulation, 2004
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Ameliorative effect of taurine against diabetes and renal‑associated disorders (Review)
Medicine International, 2021
To develop novel therapeutic methods for both diabetic and renal disorders, scientists had initially focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of taurine in established cell lines and mouse models. Although a large amount of data have been revealed, taurine has been confirmed to be the next step of novel promising therapeutic interventions against diabetic disorders. Taurine appears to ameliorate diabetes 1-related complications in various organs through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hormonal actions. In type 2 diabetes, taurine has been positively implicated in glucose homeostasis, exerting potent hypoglycemic, anti-obesity, hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects. Of particular interest is that taurine provides protection against renal dysfunction, including hypertension and proteinuria, specific glomerular and tubular disorders, acute and chronic renal conditions, and diabetic nephropathy. The ameliorative effects of taurine against renal disorders are based on its osmoregulatory properties, its association with signaling pathways and its association with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Further clinical studies are required to ensure the importance of research findings. 1. Types of diabetes 2. Beneficial effects of taurine on type 1 diabetes 3. Effects of taurine on type 2 diabetes 4. Effect of taurine on the fructose-fed rat model 5. Therapeutic effect of taurine on diabetes 6. Functional significance of taurine in renal disorders 7. Effects of taurine on hypertension 8. Effects of taurine on acute kidney injury 9. Effects of taurine on diabetic nephropathy 10. Effects of taurine on renal transplantation 11. Conclusions Diabetes is a prevalent endocrine disease associated with oxidative stress. In 2014, 422 million individuals were diagnosed with diabetes worldwide, while diabetes was directly associated with 1,5 million deaths in 2012 and 2,2 million deaths indirectly through an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and other diseases (1). Diabetes mellitus is categorized into two types according to insulin dependence. Type 1 diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (formerly known as juvenile diabetes) is characterized by hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is considered an autoimmune disease, in which T-cells mediate the elimination of pancreatic β-cells and thereby contribute to the production of low insulin levels (2). In type 2 diabetes mellitus or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (formerly known as adult diabetes), insulin resistance seems to be the predominant factor and occurs from defects in insulin secretion and a low tissue sensitivity to insulin (3). Diabetes is also known to cause complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers, skin lesions and hearing impairment (4). Diabetes mellitus is associated with high blood sugar levels for a long period of time due to alterations in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, which results from a dysfunction
METABOLIC EFFECTS OF TAURINE ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN RATS
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Taurine's role in clinical practice
Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1990
Dilated cardiomyopathy has been recognised as a significant heart disease and cause of death in pet cats in the United States. The cause of dilated cardiomyopathy which was unknown and the prognosis grave. An association between low plasma taurine concentrations and dilated cardiomyopathy was established. Daily administration of taurine (250-1000 mg) orally increased plasma taurine concentrations and reversed the clinical signs. It was previously thought that cats became taurine deficient when fed commercial dog food or unbalanced home-cooked diets. We found a high association between the type of diet fed, plasma taurine concentrations and the incidence of myocardial failure and feline central retinal regeneration. Many commercial cat foods were found to cause taurine depletion associated with myocardial failure or central retinal degeneration. It is now established that taurine deficiency is a major cause of myocardial failure in cats and that modification of commercial cat food formulations with regard to taurine content has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy in cats in the United States.
A Comprehensive Insight into Potential Roles of Taurine on Metabolic Variables in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background: Prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as a major, noncommunicable disease with increasing prevalence, is one of the major human challenges. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize current studies about the potential roles of taurine in T2DM, to identify knowledge gaps and to provide recommendations for the way forward. Methods: The literature search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, ProQuest and Google Scholar electronic databases to December 2019. All studies investigating the impacts of taurine in T2DM which met the inclusion criteria were eligible. Results: Out of 1381 articles found in the search, 12 were included. Findings of taurine supplementation on glycemic control in T2DM showed improving effect of taurine on fasting and postprandial blood glucose, serum insulin level, insulin resistance, function of beta cells, and insulin sensitivity. But, the results for Hemoglobin A1c and homeostatic model assessmentinsulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were contradictory. Also, taurine reduced total cholesterol, TG, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, however, the evidence on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was insufficient. Findings didn not support antioxidative role of taurine in T2DM. Conclusion: As a whole, taurine has potential to improve glycemic status and dyslipidemia. However, more clinical trials are needed to explore precise mechanisms underlying taurine on metabolic variables, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers, according to the recommendations for future directions.
Beneficial effect of taurine in spontaneous hypertensive rats: Implication of its antioxidant activity
African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Taurine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, has been reported to play an antihypertensive role but the mechanism underlying this activity is yet to be defined. In this study, we investigate the effect of taurine on blood pressure by oral administration in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Total heart weight, left ventricular weight, lipid peroxidation as well as glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) were determined together with histopathological examination of heart tissue. Results indicate that four weeks of oral taurine administered significantly decreased the systolic blood pressure from 174.6 ± 6.4 to 140.08 ± 8.2 mm Hg (p < 0.05). This was associated with significant reduction of the left ventricular mass in cardiac tissues. Lipid peroxidation of the heart tissue was depressed, while SOD and GSH activities significantly increased in SHR under taurine treatment. Moreover, histological inspection of cardiac sections revealed a smaller cardiom...
Taurine is a future biomolecule for potential health benefits: A review
Journal of Metabolomics and Systems Biology, 2022
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is converted to a neutral beta-amino acid, chemically known as (2-Amino-ethane sulfonic acid) having chemical formula C 2 H 7 NO 3 S. It was first isolated from Ox bile, and thus derives its name from the Latin word "Taurus", meaning 'ox' or 'bull'. This is the only amino acid that is extensively found in animal tissue. The richest source of taurine is meat whereas fish, human tissue, large intestine, and human breast milk are also good/prime sources. It is present in high concentrations in animal tissues, especially the heart, brain, retina, skeletal muscles, large intestines, plasma, blood cells, and leucocytes. Plant protein is devoid of taurine. It involves many functions from prevention to protection, osmoregulation, conjugation of bile, anti-oxidation, membrane stabilization, and modulation of calcium signaling. Hence it is also known as a poly-functional or wonderful molecule. Taurine is significantly involved in functions of the cardiovascular, skeletal muscle, retina, and the central nervous system. It differs from other neuroprotective amino acids due to the presence of sulfonic acid instead of carboxylic acid, and the presence of sulphonate makes it a strong acid. Dietary taurine is beneficial in treating bone-related disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, and immunological defense against microbes, through enhancing the metabolism/functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system. The human body contains about 1% body weight as taurine. In this review, we have made attempts to provide synthesis, chemical, biological function of taurine, which may guide and facilitate further research in this area.
Is Taurine Beneficial in Reducing Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus?: Special Issue Dedicated to Dr. Herminia Pasantes-Morales
Neurochemical Research, 2004
Taurine is a semiessential amino acid, and its deficiency is involved in retinal and cardiac degenerations. In recent years, it was found that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with taurine, and many in vivo experimental studies showed that taurine administration is able to reduce the alterations induced by DM in the retina, lens, and peripheral nerve, although its effects on diabetic kidney are dubious. Interestingly, long-term taurine supplementation reduces the mortality rate in diabetic rats. The mechanisms by which taurine exerts beneficial effects in DM are discussed below. Recently, it has been suggested that taurine deficiency may alter the endocrine pancreas "fetal programming," increasing the risk of insulin resistance in adult life. The bulk of experimental data suggests that taurine administration could be useful in the treatment of type 1 DM and in the prevention of insulin resistance. KEY WORDS: Taurine; diabetes mellitus; oxidative stress; insulin resistance. renal and hepatic mechanisms that permit the conservation 0364-3190/04/0100-0143/0
Mechanisms Underlying Development of Taurine-Deficient Cardiomyopathy
Hearts
Taurine is a ubiquitous β-amino acid that plays an essential role in ensuring normal mitochondrial and myocardial function. In the mitochondria, taurine reacts with a tRNA forming a 5-taurinomethyluridine conjugate that primarily regulates the biosynthesis of the mitochondria encoded protein, ND6, which serves as a subunit of complex I of the respiratory chain. Impaired formation of the taurine conjugate reduces activity of complex I and plays a central role in the pathophysiology of the mitochondrial disease MELAS (myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes). The restoration of mitochondrial levels of the taurine conjugate enhances electron flux through the respiratory chain, thereby preventing at least some of the symptoms of MELAS. Taurine therapy also diminishes the severity of congestive heart failure, an observation that led to its approval for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan. The review article discusses the role of defective calcium...
Taurine depletion, a novel mechanism for cardioprotection from regional ischemia
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 1997
Three processes that have been implicated in ischemic injury are impaired Ca2+movement, altered osmoregulation, and membrane remodeling. Because the amino acid, taurine, affects all three processes, it seemed logical that changes in the myocardial content of taurine might affect ischemic injury. To test this hypothesis, infarct size and areas at risk were compared in isolated hearts from control and taurine-depleted rats after a 45-min ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and 2 h of reperfusion. Hearts of rats treated for 4 wk with the taurine inhibitor, β-alanine, exhibited a 57% reduction in the infarct size-to-risk area ratio. The degree of cardioprotection was found to correlate ( r = 0.85) with the extent of taurine depletion, the latter dependent on the length of β-alanine feeding. When the taurine-depleted rats were fed taurine, myocardial taurine levels were restored and the cardioprotection was lost. However, addition of neither β-alanine (3%) nor taurin...
Role of Taurine and its Analogs Against Various Disorders and its Beneficial Effects: A Review Article
Acta Scientific Medical Sciences, 2022
Taurine (Tau), a sulphur containing amino acid, chemically known as 2 aminoethane sulphonic acid, it's a non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, often referred to as semi essential amino acid as new born mammals have very limited ability to synthesize taurine and they have to depend on dietary sources, it is not incorporated into proteins as no aminoacyl tRNA synthetase has yet been identified and is not oxidized in mammalian cells, it attains an important place because of the antioxidant defence network. It has multiple function in the CNS, it serves as an osmoregulator, antioxidant, inhibitory neuromodulator, and regulator of intracellular Ca2flux.First time when it was discovered from ox bile by the German professors Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin they named it GallenAsparagin, later it was known as taurus, in latin Bos taurus means Ox, but it attains its current name (Taurine) in 1838 by von H. Demarcay. Because of presence of sulphonic acid instead of carboxylic acid it is not metabolized and not involved in gluconeogenesis and thus not envolve in direct energy sources. Taurine is produced by liver and kidney including retina, brain, heart and placenta. Taurine plays extensive role against different disorders of the body and in deadly diseases like cancer, liver cirrhosis etc. Human body contains about 0.1% of body weight as taurine. It has a number of physiological and pharmacological actions. In case of spinal cord injury elevated level of taurine has been seen, In methyl prednisolone (MP), treatment in case of SCI, elevation in level of taurine is observed, this elevated level seems to be involved in protection and regeneration of tissues following injury. In this review we try to cover every possible role of taurine which may provide enough information for future research.
Protective effect of taurine against free radicals damage in the rat myocardium
Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 2004
Free radicals are highly cytotoxic to the heart and are involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this study, we tested the ability of taurine to neutralize the deleterious effects of free radicals generated ex vivo and in vitro. Taurine was added at a concentration of 0.1 mM to the drinking water of experimental rats during 6 months. The animal hearts were then isolated and submitted to regional ischemia and reperfusion; ventricular fibrillation was significantly reduced as compared to a control group of non-treated animals. Moreover, at a concentration of 1 mM, taurine provided significant cardio-protection against the deleterious effect of free radicals generated by the electrolysis of Krebs-Henseleit buffer. When isolated hearts were perfused with electrolysed buffer, extensive fiber necrosis occurred, as observed by staining with nitro blue tertrazolium, a soluble dye which yields a dark blue formazan stain in the presence of reducing agents This stain was barely detectable when taurine was added to the perfusing electrolysed buffer. To further understand the protecting mechanism of taurine, we used xanthine-xanthine-oxidase as a superoxide ( d O 2 À ) generating system and monitored the d O 2 À through yield O 2 À -dependent cytochrome c reduction. We demonstrated that taurine did not affect this system, which indicated that it did not scavenge d O 2 À directly. On the other hand, taurine inhibited the auto-oxidation of adrenaline to adrenochrome at pH 7.8 where this auto-oxidation is d O 2 À -independent and superoxide dismutase insensitive. We thus conclude that taurine acts as a potent, but nonspecific, scavenger of free radicals that cause heart damage and protects against reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation.
Effect of taurine supplementation on exercise capacity of patients with heart failure
Journal of Cardiology, 2011
Background: Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a semi-essential amino acid found in mammalian tissues that is not involved in protein synthesis. The function of taurine is not completely understood. Some studies have demonstrated that taurine supplementation reduces death rate in rabbits with heart failure (HF) and diminishes HF severity in human models of congestive HF. In this study we have evaluated the effect of taurine supplementation on exercise capacity of patients with HF. Methods: A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 29 patients with HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50% who were in functional class II or III according to New York Heart Association classification. A total of 15 patients received taurine supplementation 500 mg three times a day while the remaining 14 patients received placebo for 2 weeks. All patients performed exercise tolerance test before and after taurine and placebo supplementation.
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