Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a free amino acid that is widely present in mammalian tissues. The taurine content in the heart is about 20 mM, which is about 100 times higher than the plasma concentration. Taurine transporters maintain high concentrations of taurine in cells. Taurine has multiple biological functions, including membrane stabilization, cell volume regulation, mitochondrial protein translocation, anti-oxidation, regulation of intracellular calcium levels, and acting as an antioxidant in the heart. In addition, taurine is structurally similar to the neurotransmitters γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, and interacts with GABAA and glycine receptors to induce chloride ion currents in neuronal cells. Some species (such as cats and foxes) have low taurine biosynthesis capacity, and dietary taurine deficiency can lead to diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness.

Taurine and anti-aging

Studies have shown that taurine declines with age and is associated with lifespan in worms and mice and healthy lifespan in mice and monkeys. When taurine supplementation was used to reverse this decline, it improved the healthspan of worms, mice, and monkeys, as well as the lifespan of worms and mice. Therefore, taurine deficiency may be a driver of aging, and taurine supplementation is a potential anti-aging intervention.

Taurine and Infants

In mammals, adults can obtain taurine from food and synthesize taurine from sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine/cystine). Mammalian fetuses and infants have almost no ability to synthesize taurine. Therefore, they rely on taurine provided by the mother through the placenta or breast milk. Many evidences show that maternal taurine is essential for the development of offspring and can shape various characteristics in adulthood. Various environmental factors, including maternal obesity, preeclampsia, and malnutrition, can affect the effect of taurine transfer through the placenta or breast milk. Therefore, perinatal maternal taurine can affect the development of offspring and even determine their health and disease in adulthood.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Taurine can act as an anti-inflammatory molecule, and serum taurine deficiency is one of the characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oral administration of taurine to colitis mice reduced persistent mucosal inflammation, which has been confirmed in clinical ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Although taurine deficiency is important for human health, it should be noted that it is an osmotic agent present in high concentrations in the kidneys, and excessive taurine accumulation in the human body can affect renal function. Therefore, patients with renal failure should use taurine supplements or functional drinks with caution or prohibit them. In addition, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use taurine supplements. Compared with cow's milk, breast milk has a high taurine content. Taurine is added to infant formula made with cow's milk.

References:

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[4] FRASCATANI R, MATTOGNO A, IANNUCCI A, et al. Reduced Taurine Serum Levels in Inflammatory Bowel Disease[J]. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2024, 57 51. DOI:10.3390/nu16111593.