Taurine supplementation in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Advantages and limitations for human applications

Abstract

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a β-amino acid found in many tissues particularly brain, myocardium, and kidney. It plays several physiological roles including cardiac contraction, antioxidation, and blunting of hypertension. Though several lines of evidence indicate that dietary taurine can reduce hypertension in humans and in animal models, evidence that taurine supplementation reduces hypertension in humans has not been conclusive. One reason for the inconclusive nature of past studies may be that taurine having both positive and negative effects on cardiovascular system depending on when it is assessed, some effects may occur early, while others only appear later. Further, other consideration may play a role, e.g. , taurine supplementation improves hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats on a low salt diet but fails to attenuate hypertension on a high salt diet. In humans, some epidemiologic studies indicate that people with high taurine and low salt diets display lower arterial pressure than those with low taurine and high salt diets. Differences in techniques for measuring arterial pressure, duration of treatment, and animal models likely affect the response in different studies. This review considers both the positive and negative effects of taurine on blood pressure in animal models and their applications for human interventions.© 2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.Key words: Arterial pressure; Circadian rhythm; Hypertension; Spontaneously hypertensive rat; NaCl; Taurine Core tip: Many reports indicate that dietary taurine can reduce hypertension in humans and in animal models; however, the hypotensive effect of taurine supplementation depends on many factors. Taurine supplementation improves hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats on a low salt diet but fails to attenuate hypertension on a high salt diet. In humans, some epidemiologic studies suggest that people with high taurine and low salt diets display lower arterial pressure than those with low taurine and high salt diets. This review considers both positive and negative effects of taurine on blood pressure in animal models of hypertension to apply for human interventions.Suwanich A, Wyss JM, Roysommuti S. Taurine supplementation in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Advantages and limitations for human applications.

Acute effects of energy drinks in medical students

“…This study also found a decrease in the percent of 1-h SBP increase, which has not been reported previously. However, the taurin content may explain this finding, because it caused a decrease of BP in a previous study [46]. Several studies have shown that energy drinks exerted different effects on BP, but the use of different volumes and the concentration of components [16,21] or the fact that the beverages tested were prepared using only some of the components of the commercial brands [22] may be the reasons for this disagreement.…”

Protective role of taurine against oxidative stress (Review)

“…Over 50 percent of the total free amino acid pool in the heart is reportedly occupied by taurine ( 125 ), which appears to have a positive inotropic action on cardiac tissue ( 126 ) and to lower high blood pressure ( 127 , 128 ). Taurine protects cardiomyocytes from damage mediated by either excessive or inadequate calcium ion levels due to its regulatory effect on the activity of the voltage-dependent calcium and sodium channels ( 129 ).…”

The Effect of Perinatal Taurine on Adult Renal Function Does Not Appear to Be Mediated by Taurine’s Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin System

“…Although perinatal taurine supplementation does not induce salt-sensitive hypertension, taurine supplementation in late pregnant rats stimulates postnatal growth and induces obesity and insulin resistance in adult offspring (Hultman et al 2007). Moreover, in adult SHR, taurine supplementation accelerates the hypertensive response to a high salt diet during nighttime but not daytime (Suwanich et al 2013). …”