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To explore the relationship between whole-body taurine status and function, the taurine concentration in plasma and platelets was measured and evaluated in terms of ex vivo collagen-induced platelet aggregation in taurine-depleted cats and taurine-supplemented humans. Taurine status exerted a significant effect on platelet aggregability. Platelets from taurine-depleted cats were twice as sensitive to aggregation as platelets from cats receiving taurine. On the other hand, platelets from humans with normal taurine status increased resistance to aggregation by 30-70% when supplemented with taurine at 400 or 1600 mg/d, respectively. Decreased platelet aggregability was associated with increased platelet taurine and glutathione concentrations and decreased thromboxane release on aggregation. These data indicate that taurine in vivo stabilizes platelets against aggregation such that during taurine depletion platelets become overly sensitive whereas during supplementation their tendency to aggregate is depressed.

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