Taurine in health and diseases: consistent evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies

Abstract

Taurine (T) was first noted as beneficial for stroke and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention in genetic rat models, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The preventive mechanisms of T were ascribed to sympathetic modulation for reducing blood pressure (BP) and anti-inflammatory action. Recent epidemiological surveys revealed the involvement of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of stroke and also atherosclerosis for which T was proven to be effective experimentally. Arterio-lipidosis prone rats, a substrain of SHRSP selectively bred for higher reactive hypercholesterolemia, quickly develop not only arterial fat deposition but also fatty liver which could be attenuated by dietary T supplementation. CARDIAC (CVD and Alimentary Comparison) Study was a WHO-coordinated multi-center epidemiological survey on diets and CVD risks and mortalities in 61 populations. Twenty-four-hour urinary (24U) T was inversely related significantly with coronary heart disease mortality. Higher 24U-T excreters had significantly lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic BP, total cholesterol (T-Cho), and atherogenic index (AI: T-Cho/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) than lower T excreters. T effects on CVD risks were intensified in individuals whose 24U-T and -magnesium (M) excretions were higher. Furthermore, higher Na excreters with higher heart rate whose BP were significantly higher than those with lower heart rate were divided into two groups by the mean of 24U-T, high and low T excreters. Since the former showed significantly lower BP than the latter, T may beneficially affect salt-sensitive BP rise. Included among the typical 61 populations, were Guiyang, China or St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada where in which the means of both 24U-T and -M were high or low, respectively. The former and the latter had low and high CVD risks, respectively. Australian Aboriginals living at the coastal area in Victoria were supposed to eat T- and M-rich bush and sea foods and be free from CVD 200 years ago, but they presently have nearly the highest CVD risks indicating that T- and/or M-containing seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk, etc, similar to prehistoric hunters’ and gatherers’ food should be good for CVD prevention. The preventive effects of T, good for health and longevity, first noted experimentally, were also proven epidemiologically in humans.

Taurine Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Vascular Function in Prehypertension

“…12 Several clinical studies have reported that diets rich in taurine can reduce cardiovascular risks regardless of ethnicity and genetic background. 13,14 In addition, animal experiments have shown that taurine depletion accelerates the development of high salt-induced hypertension. 15 Although taurine has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP) in several hypertensive animal models, few rigorous and long-term clinical trials have confirmed this beneficial effect in human hypertension.…”

Clinical significance of taurine

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that increased taurine intake is associated with diminished risk of hypertension (Yamori et al 2010). This observation is consistent with animal studies showing taurine-mediated reductions in blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (Nara et al 1978), attenuation of norepinephrinemediated vasoconstriction by taurine (Nishida and Satoh 2009) and elevation in blood pressure in taurine deficiency (Mozaffari et al 2006).…”

The role of nutrition and nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of hypertension

“…Fujita et al [155] demonstrated a reduction in BP of 9/4.1 mmHg (p < 0.05) in 19 hypertension subjects given 6 g of taurine for 7 d. Taurine has numerous beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and BP [156] . The recommended dose of taurine is 2 to 3 g/d at which no adverse effects are noted, but higher doses up to 6 g/d may be needed to reduce BP significantly [1,70,71,[154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162] .…”

“…Taurine lowers BP, SVR and HR, decreases arrhythmias, CHF symptoms and SNS activity, increases urinary sodium and water excretion, increases atrial natriuretic factor, improves insulin resistance, increases NO and improves endothelial function. Taurine also decreases A-Ⅱ, PRA, aldosterone, SNS activity, plasma norepinephrine, plasma and urinary epinephrine, lowers homocysteine, improves insulin sensitivity, kinins and acetyl choline responsiveness, decreases intracellular calcium and sodium, lowers response to beta receptors and has antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory activities, decreases IMT and arterial stiffness and may protect from risk of CHD [1,[154][155][156][157][158][159][160] . A lower urinary taurine is associated with increased risk of hypertension and CVD [160,161] .…”