Abstract
Taurine, a beta-sulphur amino acid with a zwitterionic function, plays an important role in several biological processes. In humans taurine synthesis is limited. Therefore, intake by food is important. A normal diet, including animal products, contains a sufficient amount of taurine to provide the physiological necessary quantity of taurine. Taurine is a component of bile salts, which function as detergents for emulsification of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. Also, taurine is involved in the development of the brain and retina, which makes it an essential nutritional substrate in neonates and small children, who are limited in the synthesis of taurine. Moreover, taurine can act as an osmoregulator and antioxidant, which makes it an important amino acid during pathological conditions such as ischemic reperfusion injury, inflammation and brain oedema. Its osmolytic function helps to prevent alteration in the intra-cellular concentrations of all substances. In many models of oxidant-induced injury, taurine was shown to be tissue-protective as a non-toxic endogenous antioxidant. This review focuses on the biological actions of taurine, to illuminate possible clinical benefits of taurine.
Keywords: Taurine, amino acid, supplementation, bile, osmoregulation, antioxidant
Current Nutrition & Food Science
Title: Taurine and the Relevance of Supplementation in Humans, in Health and Disease
Volume: 2 Issue: 4
Author(s): Astrid L. Rijssenbeek, Gerdien C. Melis, Steven J. Oosterling, Petra G. Boelens, Alexander P.J. Houdijk, Milan C. Richir and Paul A.M. van Leeuwen
Affiliation:
Keywords: Taurine, amino acid, supplementation, bile, osmoregulation, antioxidant
Abstract: Taurine, a beta-sulphur amino acid with a zwitterionic function, plays an important role in several biological processes. In humans taurine synthesis is limited. Therefore, intake by food is important. A normal diet, including animal products, contains a sufficient amount of taurine to provide the physiological necessary quantity of taurine. Taurine is a component of bile salts, which function as detergents for emulsification of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. Also, taurine is involved in the development of the brain and retina, which makes it an essential nutritional substrate in neonates and small children, who are limited in the synthesis of taurine. Moreover, taurine can act as an osmoregulator and antioxidant, which makes it an important amino acid during pathological conditions such as ischemic reperfusion injury, inflammation and brain oedema. Its osmolytic function helps to prevent alteration in the intra-cellular concentrations of all substances. In many models of oxidant-induced injury, taurine was shown to be tissue-protective as a non-toxic endogenous antioxidant. This review focuses on the biological actions of taurine, to illuminate possible clinical benefits of taurine.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rijssenbeek L. Astrid, Melis C. Gerdien, Oosterling J. Steven, Boelens G. Petra, Houdijk P.J. Alexander, Richir C. Milan and van Leeuwen A.M. Paul, Taurine and the Relevance of Supplementation in Humans, in Health and Disease, Current Nutrition & Food Science 2006; 2 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340106778699458
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340106778699458 |
Print ISSN 1573-4013 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3881 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Functional Foods in Human Health and Beyond
Foods are important source of nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other minerals. Furthermore, the functional foods are those agents that have additional components that are essential supports to the body in terms of antioxidant and pharmacologically active agents. The predominant functional foods are of plant in origin, whereas some ...read more
Harnessing Bioactive Compounds from Food Waste: Sustainable Extraction Strategies and Health Applications
Food waste presents a significant challenge across the postharvest cycle, from agricultural production to distribution. However, within this waste lies a treasure trove of bioactive chemicals that hold immense potential for nutraceuticals, functional foods, and postharvest additives, including antimicrobials. Various extraction methods, such as solvent extraction (SE), supercritical fluid extraction ...read more
Natural Bioactive Compounds Derivatives in Nutraceutical and Food Science
In the last years, plants have been widely used for their numerous properties and now there is growing interest in the study of classes of compounds obtained from plant species or derived from them. The importance of these natural compounds lies in their important therapeutic purposes, and in their capability ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Autophagy as a Molecular Target of Flavonoids Underlying their Protective Effects in Human Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Astroglial Connexins in Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders and Radiation Exposure
Current Medicinal Chemistry DNAzyme Delivery Approaches in Biological Settings
Current Medicinal Chemistry Metabolic Activation of Herbal and Dietary Constituents and Its Clinical and Toxicological Implications: An Update
Current Drug Metabolism Saccharide Modified Pharmaceutical Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug and Gene Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Activation and Control of CNS Innate Immune Responses in Health and Diseases: A Balancing Act Finely Tuned by Neuroimmune Regulators (NIReg)
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Vascular effects of flavonoids
Current Medicinal Chemistry Adenosine, Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy: The Emerging Therapeutic Relationship Between Metabolism and Brain Activity
Current Neuropharmacology New Therapies to Modulate Post-Infarction Inflammatory Alterations in the Myocardium: State of the Art and Forthcoming Applications
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Adrenomedullin Expression in Alzheimer's Brain
Current Alzheimer Research Role of Free Radicals and Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase-1 in the Development of Spinal Cord Injury: New Potential Therapeutic Targets
Current Medicinal Chemistry Graphical Abstracts
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery GLP-1, Incretin Mimetics and DPP 4 Inhibitors: New Ways in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents The Renin-Angiotensin System: Emerging Concepts
Current Hypertension Reviews Rabbit Models of Ocular Diseases: New Relevance for Classical Approaches
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Ezetimibe and Vascular Endothelial Function
Current Vascular Pharmacology Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Insulin Resistance
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Relationship Between Cleft Lip, Maxillary Hypoplasia, Hypoxia and Phenytoin
Current Pharmaceutical Design Corticosteroids for the Inflammatory Response to Cardiopulmonary Bypass: An Update
Current Pharmaceutical Design ACE and ACE2 in Inflammation: A Tale of Two Enzymes
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued)