Taurine (Synonyms: 2-Aminoethanesulfonic acid)

Taurine is an organic acid widely distributed in animal tissues.Target: OthersTaurine is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine and accounts for approximately 0.1% of total human body weight [1]. Taurine is present in high concentration in algae and in the animals including insects and arthropods, but is generally absent or present in traces in the bacterial and plant kingdoms [2]. In cardiac tissue alone, taurine levels of 20 mM or higher may be found. Taurine availability protects against cholestasis induced by monohydroxy bile acids remains confined to guinea pigs [3]. Oral supplementation of taurine results in increased plasma taurine concentrations and is associated with normalization of left ventricular function in both groups of cats. Myocardial concentrations of taurine are directly related to plasma concentrations and low plasma concentrations are found to be associated with myocardial failure in cats, proposing a direct link occurs between decreased taurine concentration in the myocardium and decreased myocardial mechanical function [4].

References:
[1]. Huxtable, R.J., Physiological actions of taurine. Physiol Rev, 1992. 72(1): p. 101-63.
[2]. Huxtable, R.J., Taurine in the central nervous system and the mammalian actions of taurine. Prog Neurobiol, 1989. 32(6): p. 471-533.
[3]. Chesney, R.W., Taurine: its biological role and clinical implications. Adv Pediatr, 1985. 32: p. 1-42.
[4]. Pion, P.D., et al., Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science, 1987. 237(4816): p. 764-8.