Taurine Taurine is an amino acid found throughout the body, but chiefly in nerve tissue and muscle.

It is thought to help regulate heartbeat and muscle contract ions, water balance, energy levels and levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. =============================================================================== http://www.scribd.com/doc/53095481/Taurine2 ================================================================================ (linkul de mai sus de la pagina 45 + IMAGINI) 1.5 Taurine Taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid) (figure 1-12) is a free amino acid found a s zwitterions in most body fluids. Taurine was first discovered in 1827 as a component of bil e (224) where taurine plays an essential role in conjugation to bile acids thus enabling solub ility at physiological pH (224). Taurine has since been found to act as an organic osmoly te, an antioxidant, a scavenger of carbonyl compounds, a modulator of cytosolic calcium , an analgesic, and to have neurotrophic properties (75; 76; 113; 145; 225; 226).

Humans have relatively low levels of taurine synthesis and are dependent upon di etary taurine intake. Taurine is therefore described as being conditionally essential. Taurine is found ubiquitously in animal products along with nuts, legumes and sulphur rich vegeta bles such as sprouts, cabbage, onions, garlic and turnips. Taurine deficiency is rare; howeve r, it has been seen in both vegans (227) as well as patients with diabetes. The uncommon natur e of taurine deficiency is, in part due to the ability to synthesise taurine from cysteine (s ee section 1.5.1) and partly due to the inverse regulation of taurine transport in the renal proxi mal tubules (228). TauT expression is down-regulated in the proximal tubule in response to h igh taurine diet and increased following taurine deprivation, hence, regulating the taurine body pool. Newborn children however, have very low capacity to either synthesise, or preser ve taurine stocks (74), hence since the 1970?s taurine has been added into baby formula. Ta urine is also required for normal skeletal muscle function (229). ------IMAGINE CU BIOSINTEZA TAURINEI-------1.5.6.2.1 Antioxidant Actions of Taurine One of the major actions of taurine is as an antioxidant and in vitro TauT expre ssion and taurine uptake are increased in response to pro-oxidants (73), suggesting increa sed taurine uptake as a defensive response. In isolated culture and animal models of diabete s, taurine supplementation reduces markers of oxidative stress in different tissues i.e. li pid peroxidation in plasma (263), heart, muscle, liver, kidney (264) and sciatic nerve (145) and decreased

superoxide formation in -islet cells from rats infused with high glucose (265). T here is no human data measuring changes in oxidative stress following taurine supplementati on. The mechanism(s) by which taurine acts as an antioxidant however, are unclear. T he taurine precursor hypotaurine is able to neutralize classic ROS, but, Aruoma et al., (19 88) (266) established that taurine is incapable of directly scavenging classic R OS, O 2, OH . and H 2 O 2 . Many studies attribute the antioxidant effect of taurine to an indirect mechanis m, by upregulating the cellular antioxidant defence system. In most of these studies, however the effects seem to be a reversal of toxic effects rather than directly increasing a ntioxidant defence enzymes (76). One example of this is the prevention of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and sub sequent ROS increase. Prolonged activation of the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor b y glutamate results in overload of intracellular and mitochondrial Ca 2+ , causing mitochondrial damage and ROS production (267). Taurine reduces ROS production in glutamate-ind uced neurotoxicity, but neither by a direct antioxidant mechanism, nor by increasing the antioxidant defence system. Instead taurine has a direct effect on Ca 2+ uptake via the Na + /Ca 2+ exchanger, reducing Ca 2+ influx and thereby reducing cellular toxicity and ROS (268; 269). Hence, it is possible the effects of taurine on glucose-induced oxidative stress are due to an indirect effect on other mechanisms increasing oxidative stress such as a carbon yl scavenging, rather than directly on ROS, or antioxidant defence (76). 1.5.6.2.2 Anti-inflammatory Actions Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a major bactericidal agent generated by polymorphonu clear leukocytes and eosinophils. Although taurine is unable to scavenge classic ROS, it does react with HOCl in a 1:1 ratio neutralizing HOCl and forming the less toxic oxidant ta urine

chloramines (74). Hence, taurine acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by neutralis ing HOCl. It has been demonstrated that taurine chloramines act as an inflammatory mediator t o reduce iNOS, TNF-a, IL6 and IL8 in polymorphonuclear cells (270-273). These pro-inflamm atory mediators are seen to be increased in diabetic patients (162) and due to h yperglycaemia (161; 274). 1.5.6.2.3 Carbonyl Scavenging Taurine is a free amino acid and therefore it has a free amino group which react s with carbonyl groups forming a Schiff base with the sugar carbonyl, sparing the prote ins from glycation (5; 275). Taurine supplementation reduces AGE and protein glycation in many diabetic models; isolated human erythrocytes (276; 277), fructose-fed rats, (278 ) and fructosetreated bovine lens (279). Taurine is able to scavenge both toxic aldehydes and other carbonyl compounds (74; 76). ================================================================================ ===================== Some Important Facts About Taurine Taurine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid. It is essential only when the body is stressed such as in experiencing burns or ijury. Taurine does not combine with other amino acids to form proteins rather it remain free in man y tissues, Over fifity percent of taurine in the body is found in heart tissue. It is also a major component of bile acid, and is also found in the retina and n eutrophils. Taurine is found mainly in meats and fish proteins. However, taurine can be produced from the amino acid cysteine in the presence of the cofactor Vi tamin B6. If there is an absence of cycteine or Vitamin B6 then the diet is defi cient of taurine and should be supplemented. Since infants cannot make taurine f or themselves, taurine supplementation is necessary for them. They can receive s ufficient taurine either through breast milk which has a high taurine content or through infant formulas. Studies involving taurine were widely done in various conditions that affect the heart. Taurine helps maintain the heart s intracellular calcium levels which ulti mately protects heart muscle. Taurine has positive inotropic effects making it s ignificant for lowering blood pressure. Taurine is also capable of lowering chol esterol levels and preventing cardiac arrhythmias. Taurine as an amino acid has a distinct ability to perform the works of an antio xidant. It has demonstrated an ability to prevent neutrophil bursting and subseq uent oxidative stress, which can damage heart tissue. Because of such mechanism, it has been found out that taurine is beneficial in congestive heart failure. Due to the high taurine concentration found in retinal tissue, it has been found out that taurine supplementation is helpful in treating retinal degeneration an d retinitis pigmentosis. Therapuetic effects are due partly to the oxidant prope rties of taurine. It also appears that taurine regulate osmotic pressure in the eyes and prevents lipid peroxidatin.

It has also been proven that taurine and a synthetic version known as acomprosat e are very effective in the treatment of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal. A st udy reveals that a dose of one gram taken three times daily during the withdrawa l phase greatly reduced psychotic episodes. Also it was observed that individual s taking taurine were less likely to relapse. Taurine has also demonstrated ther apeutic benefits in the treatment of diabetes, hepatitis, cystic fibrosis and Al zheimer sDdisease. Sources of Taurine Meat Fish Eggs Brewer s yeast Dairy products Red meat Shrimp Scallops Clams Other shellfish This article is an excerpt from BASIC HEALTH PUBLICATION USER S GUIDE TO PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS By KERI MARSHALL and JACK CHALLEM ================================================================================ ===================== Cautari referitoare la taurina taurina din energizant taurina efecte creatina taurina culturism taurina dex taurina in lapte praf taurine red bull taurine energy ================================================================================ ======= POSIBILE CONCLUZII : TAURINE, is an important sulfur-containing free amino acid (made from

cysteine). It is the second most prevalent free amino acid in the human body after glutamate. Taurine: 1) Regulates Heartbeat 2) Regulates osmotic balance 3) Acts as a water soluble anti-oxidant 4) Is used to make bile, 5) Is an inhibitory neurotransmitter 6) Is critical in the development of the nervous system and vision 7) Is an essential amino acid for human babies 8) Was only added to baby formula in 1986 9) Was found to be low in persons who had just had an epileptic seizure 10) Is used in Japan to lower blood pressure ================================================================================ =================================