What Is Taurine? Other Names: 2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid, Aminoethanesulfonate, Taurine Ketoisocaproic Acid

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    Written by Consensus AI
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    What is Taurine?

    This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes in the body. Although it is not incorporated into proteins, taurine is abundant in many tissues and is involved in numerous biological functions. This article explores the sources, functions, and potential therapeutic applications of taurine. Other names include: 2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid, 2-Aminoethylsulfonic Acid, 2-Aminoethane Sulfonic Acid, Acide Aminoéthylsulfonique, Acide Kétoisocaproïque de Taurine, Acid Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoéthylsulfonique, Dibicor, Éthyl Ester de Taurine, L-Taurine, Taurina, Taurine Ethyl Ester, Taurine Ketoisocaproic Acid.

    Sources of Taurine

    Taurine can be obtained from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Endogenously, it is synthesized in the liver and kidneys from the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Exogenously, taurine is found in high concentrations in animal tissues, particularly in fish and seafood4 9.

    Physiological Functions

    Taurine is involved in a wide array of biological and physiological functions, including:

    • Osmoregulation: Taurine helps maintain cell volume and fluid balance10.
    • Membrane Stabilization: It stabilizes cell membranes and protects cells from damage4 7.
    • Calcium Homeostasis: Taurine regulates calcium levels within cells, which is crucial for various cellular functions5.
    • Antioxidation: It acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress4 6.
    • Neuromodulation: Taurine modulates neurotransmission and has protective effects on the nervous system5.

    Therapeutic Applications of Taurine

    Sports and Exercise

    Taurine has gained popularity as a supplement among athletes. Studies suggest that taurine supplementation can improve aerobic and anaerobic performance, reduce muscle damage, and enhance recovery1. However, the findings are mixed, and more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

    Cardiovascular Health

    Taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in treating other cardiovascular diseases. It helps regulate antioxidation, energy metabolism, and calcium homeostasis, which are crucial for heart health2.

    Neurological Disorders

    Taurine demonstrates potential therapeutic effects against various neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and epilepsy. It helps attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress, modulates ER stress, and regulates neuronal activity5.

    Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases

    Taurine has shown beneficial effects in managing diabetes and its complications. It helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are common in diabetic conditions6 7.

    Obesity

    Taurine supplementation has been found to alleviate obesity and related metabolic diseases. It helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in adipose tissues and improves metabolic health8.

    Cancer

    Recent studies have shown that taurine can inhibit tumor formation and progression in certain cancer models. It induces apoptosis and increases the levels of tumor suppressor proteins3.

    Visual Fatigue

    Taurine supplementation may help reduce visual fatigue by protecting retinal cells and improving eye health.

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    Adverse Effects of Taurine

    Cardiac and Blood Pressure Effects

    Taurine supplementation can ameliorate adverse cardiac effects caused by perinatal taurine depletion and high sugar intake, but it does not significantly affect body weight, heart weight, or plasma electrolytes in adult female rats.

    Taurine ingestion has been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans without reported adverse events, suggesting it is generally safe for blood pressure regulation .

    Neurological and Behavioral Effects

    Chronic high doses of taurine may have adverse effects on motor coordination and overall movement time in mice, indicating potential negative impacts on the nervous system with prolonged exposure.

    Taurine, when combined with caffeine in energy drinks, may pose risks to the adolescent brain, potentially leading to adverse neurological effects, especially with chronic high-dose consumption.

    Retinal and Visual Effects

    Taurine depletion induced by β-alanine supplementation can lead to significant reductions in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and impair axonal transport in retinal ganglion cells, suggesting potential adverse effects on vision.

    Reproductive and Developmental Effects

    Taurine supplementation in a maternal obesogenic diet model showed protective effects on offspring but increased neonatal mortality in normal pregnancy settings, indicating potential risks during pregnancy.

    Chemotherapy and Drug Interactions

    Taurine has protective effects against chemotherapy-induced toxicities, including cardiotoxicity and testicular toxicity, due to its antioxidant properties. However, its interaction with the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs remains unclear .

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    How has Taurine Improved Patient Outcomes?

    Inflammation and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

    Taurine supplementation significantly reduces inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and improves clinical outcomes like the Glasgow Coma Scale in TBI patients .

    Psychiatric Disorders

    In patients with first-episode psychosis, taurine significantly improves symptomatology, including reductions in psychotic symptoms and depression scores, although it does not enhance cognitive function.

    Cardiovascular Health

    Taurine supplementation improves functional class, pulmonary symptoms, and clinical examination outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure.

    It also shows potential benefits in improving diastolic and systolic function, exercise capacity, and hemodynamic parameters in heart failure patients, although more robust clinical trials are needed.

    In prehypertensive individuals, taurine significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improves vascular function.

    Taurine is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and poor neurological outcomes in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, suggesting a complex role that requires further investigation.

    Metabolic Health and Diabetes

    Taurine supplementation improves oxidative stress indices and reduces inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes, indicating its potential to alleviate diabetes-induced complications.

    Meta-analysis data suggest that taurine can lower blood pressure and improve lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, although it does not significantly affect fasting blood glucose or body weight.

    Elderly Surgical Patients

    In elderly hip fracture patients, taurine supplementation reduces postoperative oxidative stress but does not significantly improve morbidity or mortality outcomes.

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    Taurine Mechanisms of Action

    Membrane Stabilization and Osmoregulation

    Taurine stabilizes cell membranes and regulates cell volume, which is crucial for maintaining cellular integrity and function .

    Antioxidant Properties

    Taurine exhibits antioxidative properties by counteracting lipid peroxidation, enhancing cellular antioxidant defenses, and preventing mitochondrial oxidant production .

    Calcium Homeostasis

    Taurine regulates intracellular calcium levels, which is essential for various cellular functions, including muscle contraction and neurotransmission .

    Neuromodulation

    Taurine interacts with neurotransmitter systems, including direct modulation of NMDA receptors, which influences neuronal activity and provides neuroprotective effects .

    Mitochondrial Function

    Taurine supports mitochondrial bioenergetics and respiratory metabolism, enhancing exercise performance and protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction .

    Anti-inflammatory Effects

    Taurine reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulates inflammatory responses, contributing to its protective role in various organ systems .

    Ion Channel Modulation

    Taurine modulates ion movement, particularly potassium and chloride channels, which affects membrane excitability and action potential duration .

    Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis

    Taurine influences gene expression and protein synthesis, particularly in relation to mitochondrial proteins and enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses .

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    Common Complaints Associated with Taurine Use

    Lack of Significant Safety Concerns

    Studies on taurine supplementation in humans, particularly for heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy, reported no significant safety concerns or adverse effects.

    Research on taurine’s use in sports and exercise also did not highlight any major safety issues, though the findings on its efficacy were mixed.

    Mixed Efficacy in Performance Enhancement

    While some studies noted improvements in aerobic and anaerobic performance, muscle damage, and recovery, the results were inconsistent, and no definitive conclusions could be drawn about taurine’s effectiveness as an ergogenic aid.

    Potential for Gastrointestinal Discomfort

    Although not explicitly mentioned in the provided abstracts, gastrointestinal discomfort is a commonly reported side effect in broader literature on amino acid supplementation, which may apply to taurine as well.

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    Disclaimer

    The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

    If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate attention from a healthcare provider.

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