The Role of Taurine in Skeletal Muscle Functioning and Its Potential as a Supportive Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is required for ensuring proper muscle functioning. Knockout of the taurine transporter in mice results in low taurine concentrations in the muscle and associates with myofiber necrosis and diminished exercise capacity. Interestingly, regulation of taurine and its transporter is altered in the mdx mouse, a model for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the absence of dystrophin from the muscle membrane, causing destabilization and contraction-induced muscle cell damage. This review explores the physiological role of taurine in skeletal muscle and the consequences of a disturbed balance in DMD. Its potential as a supportive treatment for DMD is also discussed. In addition to genetic correction, that is currently under development as a curative treatment, taurine supplementation has the potential to reduce muscle inflammation and improve muscle strength in patients.

Taurine activates the AKT–mTOR axis to restore muscle mass and contractile strength in human 3D in vitro models of steroid myopathy

“…Complete removal of systemic corticosteroids is often not a practically viable solution ( Merckx and De Paepe, 2022 ). In these cases, it is pivotal to not only provide symptomatic treatment to patients but also to check myopathic progression.…”

“…Amino acid supplementation is known to enhance isometric muscle strength and improve ambulatory dysfunction ( Børsheim et al, 2008 ). The semi-essential micronutrient taurine is known for improving physical endurance by modulating excitation–contraction coupling in skeletal muscles and forms a crucial part of the cytoprotective mechanisms in the cell ( Merckx and De Paepe, 2022 ; Schaffer et al, 2010 ; Scicchitano and Sica, 2018 ). According to Uozumi et al (2006) , skeletal muscle stores 70% of total taurine reserves in the body and the expression of taurine transporter (TauT or SLC6A6) is positively regulated under the myogenic program.…”

Hypochlorous acid exposure impairs skeletal muscle function and Ca2+ signalling: implications for Duchenne muscular dystrophy pathology

“…Taurine has been previously investigated as a putative treatment for DMD (recently reviewed: Merckx & De Paepe (2022)) and has been effective in ameliorating the dystrophic pathology in mdx mice as evidenced through increased muscle force production that was attributed to anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant effects in addition to directly enhancing SR Ca 2+ and force production in skeletal muscle (Bakker & Berg, 2002; Caprogrosso et al., 2016; Terrill, Grounds et al., 2016a; Terrill, Pinniger et al., 2016b; Terrill et al., 2017; Terrill, Webb et al., 2020). HOCl reacts strongly with taurine to form taurine chloramine, which can inhibit pro‐inflammatory mediators including TNFα and IL‐1β (Choi et al., 2006).…”

What Nutraceuticals Can Do for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Lessons Learned from Amino Acid Supplementation in Mouse Models

“…Tau is the most studied osmolyte in the context of DMD. Promising results continue to accumulate for Tau treatment in mdx mouse models, showing improvement of muscle strength and reduction of tissue inflammation and oxidative stress [20]. The osmoprotective Gly derivative trimethylglycine (TMG), or betaine, has also been observed to improve muscle performance [21].…”