Skip to main content

Is Taurine Beneficial in Reducing Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus?

Neurochemical Research volume 29, pages 143–150 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

REFERENCES

  1. Huxtable, R. J. 1992. Physiological actions of taurine. Physiol. Rev. 72:101–163.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hayes, K., Rabin, A., and Berson, E. 1975. An ultrastructure study of nutritionally induced and reversed retinal degeneration in cats. Am. J. Path. 78:505–509.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hayes, K. and Sturman, J. A. 1981. Taurine in metabolism. Annu. Rev. Nutr. 1:401–425.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Geggel, H. S., Ament, M., Heckenlively, J. R., Martin, D. A., and Kopple, J. D. 1985. Nutritional requirement for taurine in patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition. N. Engl. J. Med. 312:142–146.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Heller-Stilb, B., van Roeyen, C., Rascher, K., Harting, H. G., Huth, A., Seeliger, M., Warskulat, U., and Haussinger, D. 2001. Disruption of the taurine transporter gene (taurinet) leads to retinal degeneration in mice. FASEB J. 10.1096/fj01-0691fje.

  6. Reccia, R., Pignalosa, B., Grasso, A., and Campanella, G. 1980. Taurine treatment in retinitis pigmentosa. Acta. Neurol. (Napoli) 2:132–136.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Pasantes-Morales, H., Quiroz, H., and Quesada, O. 2002. Treatment with taurine, diltiazem and vitamin E retards the progressive visual field reduction in retinitis pigmentosa: A 3 years follow-up study. Metab. Brain Dis. 17:183–197.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Pion, P. D., Kittleson, M. D., Rogers, Q. R., and Morris, J. G. 1987. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: A reversible cardiomyopathy. Science 237:764–768.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pion, P. D., Sanderson, S. L., and Kittelson, M. D. 1998. The effectiveness of taurine and levocarnitine in dogs with heart disease. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. 28:1495–1514.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lake, N. 1993. Loss of cardiac myofibrils: Mechanism of contractile deficits induced by taurine deficiency. Am. J. Physiol. 264: H1323–H1326.

    Google Scholar 

  11. vom Dahl, S., Monnighoff, I., and Haussinger, D. 2000. Decrease of plasma taurine in Gaucher disease and its substained correction during enzyme replacement therapy. Amino Acids 19: 585–592.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Franconi, F., Bennardini, F., Mattana, A., Miceli, M., Ciuti, M., Mian, M., Gironi, A., Bartolomei, G., Anichini, R., and Seghieri, G. 1995. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Effects of taurine supplementation. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61:1115–1119.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Franconi, F., Miceli, M., Fazzini, A., Seghieri, G., Caputo, S., Di Leo, M. A. S., Lepore, D., and Ghirlanda, G. 1996. Taurine and diabetes mellitus: Human and experimental models. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 403:579–582.

    Google Scholar 

  14. De Luca, G., Calpona, P. R., Caponetti, A., Romano, G., Di Benedetto, A., Cucinotta, D., and Di Giorgio, R. M. 2001.Taurine and osmoregulation: Platelet taurine content, uptake, and release in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 50:60–64.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Airaksinen, E. M., Airaksinen, M. M., Sihvola, P., and Marnela, K.-M. 1981. Decrease in the uptake and concentration of taurine in blood platelets of retinitis pigmentosa patients. Metab. Pediatr. Ophthalmol. 5:45–48.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hansen, S. H. 2001. The role of taurine in diabetes mellitus and development of diabetic complications. Diabetes Metab. Res. Rev. 17:330–346.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Bustamante, J., Lobo, M. V. T., Alonso, F. J., Mukala, N. T. A., Ginè, E., Solis, J. M., Tamarit-Rodriguez, J., and Martin del Río, R. 2001. An osmotic-sensitive taurine pool is localized in rat pancreatic islet cells containing glucagon and somatostatin. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 281:E1275–E1285.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Cherif, H., Reusens, B., Dahri, S., Remacle, C., and Hoet, J. J. 1996. Stimulatory effects of taurine on the insulin secretion of fetal rat islets cultured in vitro. J. Endocrinol. 151:501–506.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Cherif, H., Reusens, B., Ahn, M. T., Hoet, J. J., and Remacle, C. 1998. Effects of taurine on the insulin secretion of rat fetal islets from dams fed a low-protein diet. J. Endocrinol. 159:341–348.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Goodman, H. O. and Shihabi, Z. K. 1990. Supplemental taurine in diabetic rats: Effect on plasma glucose and triglycerides. Biochem. Med. Metab. Biol. 43:1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stevens, M. J., Lattimer, S. A., Kamijo, M., Van Huysen, C., Sima, A. A. F., and Green, D. A. 1993. Osmotically-induced nerve taurine depletion and the compatible osmolyte hypothesis in experimental diabetic neuropathy in the rat. Diabetologia 36:608–614.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Trachtman, H., Futterweitt, S., and Bienkowski, R. S. 1993. Taurine prevents glucose-induced lipid peroxidation and increased collagen production in cultured rat mesangial cells. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 191:759–565.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Trachtman, H., Futterweitt, S., Maesaka, J., Ma, C., Valderrama, E., Fuchs, A., Tarectecan, A. A., Rao, P. S., Sturman, J. A., Boles, T. H., Fu, M. X., and Baynes, J. 1995. Taurine ameliorates chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rat. Am. J. Physiol. 269:F429–F438.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kamata, K., Sugiura, M., Kojima, S., and Kasuya, Y. 1996. Restoration of endothelium-dependent relaxation in both hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus by chronic taurine. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 303:47–53.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Nanami, K., Oda, H., and Yokogoshi, H. 1996. Antihypercholesterolemic action of taurine on streptozotocin-diabetic rats or on rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 403: 561–568.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lim, E., Park, S., and Kim, H. 1998. Effect of taurine supplementation on lipid formation and the activities of glutathione related enzymes in the liver and islet of type I and type II diabetic model mice. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 442:99–104.

    Google Scholar 

  27. You, J. S. and Chang, K. J. 1998. Effect of taurine supplementation on lipid peroxidation, blood glucose and blood lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 442:163–168.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Mochizuki, H., Takido, J., Oda, H., and Yokogoshi, H. 1999. Improving effect of dietary taurine on marked hypercholesterolemia induced by a high-cholesterol diet in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 63:1984–1987.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ha, H., Yu, M. R., and Kim, K. H. 1999. Melatonin and taurine reduce early glomerulopathy in diabetic rats. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 26:944–950.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Obrosova, I. G. and Stevens, M. J. 1999. Effect of dietary taurine supplementation on GSH and NAD(p)-redox status, lipid peroxidation, and energy metabolism in diabetes precataractous lens. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 40:680–688.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Mitton, K. P., Linklater, H. A., Dzialoszynski, T. S., Sanford, E., Starkey, K., and Trevithick, J. R. 1999. Modelling cortical cataractogenesis 21: In diabetic rat lenses taurine supplementation vitro reduction of damage in model diabetic is due to its antioxidant activity? Exp. Eye Res. 69:279–289.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Kilic, F., Bhardwaj, R., Caulfeild, J., and Trevithick, J. R. 1999. Modelling cortical cataractogenesis 22: Is in vitro reduction of damage in model diabetic is taurine due to its antioxidant activity? Exp. Eye Res. 69:291–300.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wu, Q. D., Wang, J. H., Fennesy, F., Redmond, H. P., and Bouchier-Hayes, D. 1999. Taurine prevents high-glucose-induced human vascular endothelial cell apoptosis. Am. J. Physiol. 277: C1229–C1238.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Militante, J. D., Lombardini, J. B., and Schaffer, S. W. 2000. The role of taurine in the pathogenesis of the cardiomyopathy of insulin-dependent diabetes. Cardiovasc. Res. 393:393–400.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Pop-Busui, R., Sullivan, K. A., Van Huysen, C., Cao, Towns, X., and Stevens, M. J. 2001. Depletion of taurine in experimental diabetic neuropathy: Implications for nerve metabolic and functional deficits. Exp. Neurol. 168:259–272.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Obrosova, I., Minchenko, A. G., Marinescu, V., Fathallah, L., Kennedy, A., Stockert, C. M., Frank, R. N., and Stevens, M. J. 2001. Antioxidants attenuate early up regulation of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor in streptozotocin-diabetic rat. Diabetologia 44:1102–1110.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Obrosova, I., Fathallah, L., and Stevens, M. J. 2001. Taurine counteracts oxidative stress and nerve growth factor deficit in early experimental diabetic neuropathy. Exp. Neurol. 172: 211–219.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Di Leo, M. A. S., Santini, S. A., Cercone, S., Marra, G., Lepore, D., Caputo, S., Antico, L., Giardina, B., Pitocco, D., Franconi, F., and Ghirlanda, G. 1999. Dose-dependent effects of taurine in the prevention of Na,K-ATPase impairment and lipid peroxidation in the retina of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Diabetologia 42(Suppl. 1):A315.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Di Leo, M. A. S.,Santini, S. A., Cercone, S., Marra, G., Lepore, D., Gentiloni Silveri, N., Caputo, S., Greco, A. V., Giardina, B., Franconi, F., and Ghirlanda, G. 2002. Chronic taurine supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress and Na+K+-ATPase impairment in the retina of diabetic rats. Amino Acids 23:401–406.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Di Leo, M. A. S., Ghirlanda, G., Gentiloni Silveri, N., Giardina, B., Franconi, F., and Santini, S. A. 2003. Potential therapeutic effect of antioxidants in experimental diabetic retina: A comparison between chronic taurine and vitamin E plus selenium supplementations. Free Radic. Res. 37:323–330.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Nakaya, Y., Minami, A., Haradica, N., Sakamoto, S., Niwa, Y., and Ohnaka, M. 2000. Taurine improves insulin sensitivity in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 71:54–58.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Odetti, P., Pesce, C., Traverso, N. Menini, S., Pesce Manieri, E., Cosso, L., Velentini, S., Patriarca, S., Cottalasso, D., Marinari, U. M., and Pronzato, M. A. 2002. Comparative trial of N-acetyl-cysteine, taurine, and oxerutin on skin and kidney damage in long-term experimental diabetes. Diabetes 52:499–505.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Franconi, F., Di Leo, M. A. S., Santini, S. A., Gentiloni Silveri, N., Caputo, S., Giardina, B., and Ghirlanda, G. 2002. Taurine supplementation prolongs the survival and reduces glycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Taurine in the 21st century, September 20–23, Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, Hawaii.

  44. Movassat, J. and Portha, B. 1999. Beta-cell growth in the neonatal Goto-Kakisaki rat and regeneration after treatment with streptozotocin at birth. Diabetologia 42:1098–1096.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Trachtman, H., Futterweitt, S., Prenner, J., and Hanon, S. 1994. Antioxidants reverse the antiproliferative effect of high glucose and advanced glycosylation end products in cultured rat mesangial cells. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 199:346–352.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kirpichnikov, D. and Sowers, J. R. 2001. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes associated vascular disease. Trends Endocrinol. Metab.12:225–429.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Baynes, J. W. and Thorpe, S. R. 1999. Role of oxidative stress in diabetic complications: A new perspective on an old paradigm. Diabetes 48:1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wright, C. E., Tallan, H. H., and Lin, Y. Y. 1986. Taurine: Biological update Annu. Rev. Biochem. 55:427–453.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Pasantes-Morales, H. and Cruz, C. 1984. Protective effect of taurine and zinc on peroxidation induced damage in photoreceptor outer segments. J. Neurosci. Res. 11:303–311.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Pasantes-Morales, H. and Cruz, C. 1985. Taurine and hypotaurine inhibit light induced lipid peroxidation and protect rod outer segment structures. Brain Res. 330:154–157.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Alvarez, J. G. and Storey, B. T. 1983. Taurine, hypotaurine, epinephrine and albumin inhibit lipid peroxidation in rabbit spermatozoa from O2 toxicity due to lipid peroxidation. Biol. Reprod. 28:1129–1136.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Dawson, R., Tang, E., Shib, D., Hern, H., Hu, M., Baker, D., and Eppler, B. 1998. Taurine inhibition of iron-stimulated catecholamine oxidation. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 442:155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Schuller-Levis, G. B., Gordon, R. E., Park, E., Pendino, K. J., and Laskin, D. L. 1995. Taurine protects rat bronchioles from acute ozone-induced lung inflammation and hyperplasia. Exp. Lung Res. 21:877–888.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Milei, J. R., Ferreira, R., Llesuy, S., Focarda, J., Covarrubias, J., and Boveris, A. R. 1992. Reduction of reperfusion injury with preoperative rapid intravenous infusion of taurine during myocardial revascularization. Am. Heart J. 123:339–345.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Tadolini, B., Pintus, G., Pinna, G., Bennardini, F., and Franconi, F. 1995. Effect of taurine and hypotaurine on lipid peroxidation. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 213:820–826.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Weiss, S. J., Klein, R., Slivka, A., and Wei, M. 1982. Chlorination of taurine by human neutrophils: Evidence for hypochlorous acid generation. J. Clin. Invest. 70:598–607.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Zglinczynski, J. M., Stelmaszynka, T., Domasnski, J., and Ostrowski, W. 1971. Chloramines as intermediate of oxidation reaction of amino acids by myeloperoxidase. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 233:419–424.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Cantin, A. 1994. Taurine modulation of hypochlorous acid-induced lung epithelial cell injury in vitro. J. Clin. Invest. 93:606–614.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Kearns, S. and Dawson, R. 2000. Cytoprotective effect of taurine against hypochlorous acid toxicity to PC12 cells. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 483:563–570.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Raschke, P., Massoudy, P., and Becker, B. F. 1995. Taurine protects the heart from neutrophil-induced reperfusion injury. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 19:461–471.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Omi, H., Okayama, N., Shimizu, M., Okouchi, M., Ito, S., Fukutomi, T., and Itoh, M. 2002. Participation of high glucose concentrations in neutrophil adhesion and surface expression of adhesion molecules on cultured human endothelial cells: Effect of antidiabetic medicines. Diab. Compl. 16:201–218.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Zhang, R., Brennan, M. L., Fu, X., Aviles, R. J., Pearce, G. L., Penn, M. S., Topol, E. J., Sprecher, D. L., and Hazen, S. L. 2001. Association between myeloperoxidase levels and risk of coronary artery disease. J. Am. Med. Ass. 286:2136–2142.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Brennan, M, Anderson, M. M., Shih, D. M., Qu, X., Wang, X., Mehta, A. C., Lim, L. L., Shi, W., Hazen, S. L., Jacob, J. J., Crowley, J. R., Heinecke, J. W., and Lusis, A. J. 2001. Increased atherosclerosis in myeloperoxidase-deficient mice. J. Clin. Invest. 107:419–430.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Ogasawara, M., Nakamura, T., Koyama, I., Remoto, M., and Yoshida, T. 1994. Reactivity of taurine with aldehydes and its physiological role. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 359:71–78.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Li, H., Li, J. C., Jiang, S. S., Du, H., and Gu, X. P. 1996. Inhibiting effect of taurine on nonenzymatic glycosylation on aortic collagen in diabetic rats. Chin. Pharmacol. Bull. 12:445–447.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Devanmanoharan, C., Ali, P. S., and Varna, A. H. 1997. Prevention of lens protein glycation by taurine. Mol. Cell. Biochem. 177:245–250.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Eppler, B. and Dawson, R. 2001. Dietary manipulations in aged male Fishers 344 rat tissue: Taurine concentration, taurine biosynthesis, and oxidative markers. Biochem. Pharmacol. 62:29–39.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Nonaka, H., Tsujino, T., Watari, Y., Emoto, N., and Yokoyama, M. 2001. Taurine prevents the decrease in expression and secretion of extracellular superoxide dismutase induced by homocysteine: Amelioration of homocysteine-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by taurine. Circulation 104:1165–1170.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Keys, S. A. and Zimmerman, W. F. 1999. Antioxidant activity of retinol, glutathione, and taurine in bovine photoreceptor cell membranes. Exp. Eye Res. 68:693–702.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Franconi, F., Stendardi, I., Failli, P., Matucci, R., Baccaro, C., Montorsi, L., Bandinelli, R., and Giotti, A. 1985. The protective effects of taurine on hypoxia (performed in the absence of glucose) and on reoxygenation (in the presence of glucose) in guineapig heart. Biochem. Pharmacol. 34:2611–2620.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Malcangio, M., Bartolini, A., Ghelardini, C., Bennardini, F., Malberg-Aiello, P., Franconi, F., and Giotti, A. 1989. Effect of I.C.V. taurine on the impairment of learning, convulsion and death caused by hypoxia. Psycopharmacology 98:316–320.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Schaffer, S. W., Lombardini, J. B., and Azuma, J. 2000. Interaction between the actions of taurine and angiotensin II. Amino Acids 18:305–318.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Mozaffari, M. S. and Abebe, W. 2000. Cardiovascular responses of the taurine-depleted rat to vasoactive agents. Amino Acids 19: 625–634.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Seshiah, P. N., Weber, D. S., Rocic, P., Valppu, L., Taniyama, Y., and Griendling, K. K. 2002. Angiotensin II stimulation of NAD(P)H oxidase activity: Upstream mediators. Circ. Res. 91: 406–413.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Hsieh, T. J., Zhang, S. L., Filep, J. G., Tang, S. S., Infelfinger, J. R., and Chan, S. D. 2002. High glucose stimulate angiotensinogen gene expression via reactive oxygen species generation in rat kidney proximal tubular cells. Endocrinology 143:2975–2985.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Cunningham, C., Tipton, K. F., and Dixon, H. B. F. 1998. Conversion of taurine into N-chloramine (taurine chloramine) and sulphoacetaldehyde in response to oxidative stress. J. Biochem. 330:939–945.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Marcinkiewicz, J., Grabowska, A., Bereta, J., and Stelmaszynska, T. 1995. Taurine chloramines, a product of activated neutrophils, inhibits the generation of nitric oxide and other macrophage inflammatory mediators. J. Leukoc. Biol. 58:667–674.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Liu, Y., Tonna-DeMaise, M., Park, E., Schuller-Levis, G., and Quinn, M. R. 1998. Taurine chloramine inhibits production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in activated C6 glioma cells by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Mol. Brain Res. 59:189–195.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Park, E., Jia, J., Quinn, M. R., and Schuller-Levis, G. 2002. Taurine chloramine inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and decreases cytokine production in activated human leukocytes. Clin. Immunol. 102:179–184.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Ogino, T., Kobuchi, H., Sen, C. K., Roy, S., Packer, L., and Maguire, J. J. 1997. Monochloramine inhibits phorbol ester-inducible neutrophil respiratory burst activation and T cell interleukin-2 receptor expression by inhibiting inducible protein kinase C activity. J. Biol. Chem. 272:26247–26252.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Park, E., Quinn, M. R., Wright, C. E., and Schuller-Levis, G. 1993. Taurine chloramine inhibits the synthesis of nitric oxide and release of tumor necrosis factor in activated RAW-264.7. J. Leukoc. Biol. 54:119–124.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Kontny, E., Grabowska, A., Kowalczewski, J., Kurowska, M., Janicka, I., Marcinkiewicz, J., and Maslinski, W. 1999. Taurine chloramine inhibition of cell proliferation and cytokine production by rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Arthritis Rheum. 42:2552–2560.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Gordon, R. E., Shaked, A. A., and Solano, D. F. 1986. Taurine protects hamster bronchioles from acute NO2 induced alteration: A histological, ultrastructural, and freeze fracture studies. Am. J. Path. 125:10404–10413.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Wang, Q. J., Giri, S. N., Hyde, D. M., and Nakaashima, J. M. 1989. Effects of taurine on bleomycin-induced fibrosis in hamsters. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 190:330–338.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Davies, J. M., Horwitz, D. A., and Davies, K. J. A. 1993. Potential roles of hypochlorous acid and N-chloramines in collagen breakdown by phagocytic cells in synovitis. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 15:637–643.

    Google Scholar 

  86. Murakami, S., Yamagishi, I., Asami, Y., Ohta, Y., Toda, Y., Nara, Y., and Yamori, Y. 1996. Hypolipidemic effect of taurine in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Pharmacology 52:303–313.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Murakami, S., Kondo-Ohta, Y., and Tomisawa, K. 1999. Improvement in cholesterol metabolism in mice given chronic treatment of taurine and fed a high-fat diet. Life Sci. 64:83–91.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Balkan, J., Kanbagli, O., Hatipoglu, A., Kucuk, M., Cevikbas, U., Aykac-Toker, G., and Uysal, M. 2002. Improving effect of dietary taurine supplementation on the oxidative stress and lipid levels in the plasma, liver and aorta of rabbits fed on a high-cholesterol diet. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 66:1755–1758.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Yokogoshi, H. and Oda, H. 2002. Dietary taurine enhances cholesterol degradation and reduces serum and liver cholesterol concentrations in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Amino Acids 23:433–439

    Google Scholar 

  90. Petty, M. A., Kintz, J., and DiFrancesco, G. F. 1990. The effects of taurine on atherosclerosis development in cholesterol fed rabbits. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 180:119–127.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Murakami, S., Kondo, Y., Toda, Y., Kitajima, H., Kameo, K., Sakono, M., and Fukuda, N. 2002. Effect of taurine on cholesterol metabolism in hamsters: Up-regulation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor by taurine. Life Sci. 70:2355–2366.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Kondo, Y., Toda, Y., Kitajima, H., Oda, H., Nagate, T., Kameo, K., and Muratami, S. 2001. Taurine inhibits development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Clin. Exp.Pharmacol. Physiol. 28:809–815.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Murakami, S., Kondo, Y., Sakurai, T., Kitajima, H., and Nagate, T. 2002. Taurine suppresses development of atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. Atherosclerosis 163:79–87.

    Google Scholar 

  94. Steinberg, D. and Witztum, J. L. 2002. Is the oxidative modification hypothesis relevant to human atherosclerosis. Circulation 105:2107–2111.

    Google Scholar 

  95. Yamori, Y., Liù, L., Ikeda, K., Miura, A., Mizuhushi, S., Miki, T., and Nara, Y. 2001. Distribution of twenty-four hour urinary taurine excretion and association with ischemic disease mortality in 24 population 16 countries: Results from WHO-cardiac study. Hypertens. Res. 24:453–461.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Hayes, K., Pronezn, K. A., Adessa, A. E., and Stephan, Z. F. 1989. Taurine modulates platelet aggregation in cats and in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 49:1211–1215.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Franconi, F., Martini, F., Stendardi, I., Matucci, R., Zilletti, L., and Giotti, A. 1982. Effect of taurine on calcium levels and contractility in guinea-pig ventricular strips. Biochem. Pharmacol. 31:3181–3187.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Satoh, H. 1994. Cardioprotective actions of taurine against intracellular and extracellular calcium-induced effect. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 359:181–196.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Militante, J. D. and Lombardini, J. B. 2000. Stabilization of calcium uptake in rat rod outer segments by taurine and ATP. Amino Acids 19:561–570.

    Google Scholar 

  100. Chen, Y. X. 1995. Protective action of taurine on ischemia-reperfusion liver injury in rats and its metabolism. Chin. Med. J. 73:977–986.

    Google Scholar 

  101. Qi, B., Yamagami, T., Naruse, Y., Sokejima, S., and Kagamimori, S. 1995. Effect of taurine on depletion of erythrocyte membrane NaKATPase activity due to ozone exposure or cholesterol enrichment. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 41:627–634.

    Google Scholar 

  102. Vilchis, C. and Salceda, R. 1996. Effect of diabetes mellitus on levels and uptake of putative amino acid neurotrasmtitters in rat retina and retinal pigment epithelium. Neurochem. Res. 21: 1167–1171.

    Google Scholar 

  103. Stevens, M. J., Hosaka, Y., Masterson, J. A., Jones, S. M., Thomas, T. P., and Larkin, D. D. 1999. Downregulation of the human taurine transporter by glucose in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiol. 277:E760–E771.

    Google Scholar 

  104. Malone, J. L., Lowitt, S., and Cook, W. R. 1990. Non osmotic diabetic cataracts. Pediat. Res. 27:293–296.

    Google Scholar 

  105. Franconi, F., Martini, F., Manghi, N., Galli, A., Bennardini, F., and Giotti, A. 1981. Uptake of 3H-taurine into myocardial membranes. Biochem. Pharmacol. 30:77–85.

    Google Scholar 

  106. Hales, C. N. and Baker, D. J. P. 1992. Type-2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus: The thrifty phenotypes hypothesis. Diabetologia 35:595–601.

    Google Scholar 

  107. Sturman, J. A. 1993. Taurine in development. Physiol. Rev. 73:119–147

    Google Scholar 

  108. Norberg, S., Powel, T. L., and Jansson, T. 1998. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with reduced activity of placental transporters. Pediat. Res. 44:233–238.

    Google Scholar 

  109. Dahri, S., Snock, A., Reusens, B., Remacle, C., and Hoet, J. J. 1991. Islet function in offspring of mothers on low protein diet during gestation. Diabetes 40(suppl 2) 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  110. Oliver, M. H., Hawkins, P., Breier, B. H., Van Zijl, P. L., Sargison, S. A., and Harding, J. E. 2001. Maternal undernutrition during the periconceptual period increases plasma taurine levels and insulin response to glucose but not arginine in the late gestation fetal sheep. Endocrinology 142:4576–4579.

    Google Scholar 

  111. Merezak, S., Hardikar, A. A., Yajnik, C. S., Remacle, C., and Reusens, B. 2001. Intrauterine low protein diet increases fetal beta-cell sensitivity to NO and IL-1 beta: The protective role of taurine. J. Endocrinol. 171:299–308.

    Google Scholar 

  112. Boujender, S., Reusens, B., Merezak, S., Ahn, M. T., Arany, E., Hill, D., and Remacle, C. 2002. Taurine supplementation to a low protein diet during foetal and early postnatal life restores a normal proliferation and apoptosis of rat pancreatic islets. Diabetologia 45:856–866.

    Google Scholar 

  113. Aerts, L. and Van Assche, F. A. 2001. Low taurine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and carnosine levels in plasma of diabetic rats: Consequences for the offspring. J. Perinat. Med. 29: 81–84.

    Google Scholar 

  114. Fennessy, F. M., Moneley, D. S, Wang, J. H., Kelly, C. J., and Bouchier-Hayes, D. J. 2003. Taurine and vitamin C modify monocyte and endothelial dysfunction in young smokers. Circulation 107:410–415.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Center for Biotechnology Development and Biodiversity Research, University of Sassari, Italy

    Flavia Franconi & Federico Bennardini

  2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University, Roma, Italy

    Mauro A. S. Di Leo

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University, Roma, Italy

    Giovanni Ghirlanda

Authors
  1. Flavia Franconi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mauro A. S. Di Leo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Federico Bennardini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giovanni Ghirlanda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Flavia Franconi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franconi, F., Di Leo, M.A.S., Bennardini, F. et al. Is Taurine Beneficial in Reducing Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus?. Neurochem Res 29, 143–150 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NERE.0000010443.05899.2f

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:NERE.0000010443.05899.2f

  • Taurine
  • diabetes mellitus
  • oxidative stress
  • insulin resistance