• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.84-93
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• 2001

This study was to evaluate the effect of dietary taurine on bone mass loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty Sprauge-Dawly female rats (body weight 200$\pm$22 ) were divided into four groups. Control (sham) group was fed without taurine and the other three ovariectomized groups were fed the diets with 0%, 1% and 2% taurine for eight weeks. There was no significant difference in Plasma taurine level among the three ovariectomized groups. The sham group showed higher calcium level in femur than that of the other ovariectomized groups. There was no significant difference in phosphorus level in femur among the four groups. The levels of magnesium and zinc in sham group was higher than those of in the ovariectomized groups. The sham and 1% taurine fed ovariectomized group showed higher level of sodium than 0% and 2% taurine fed ovariectomized groups. Body weight and diet intake in sham group were lower than those of in the three ovariectomized groups due to ovariectomy. Breaking force and specific gravity of femur were not different significantly among the four groups. The level of minerals in l% taurine fed ovariectomized group was higher than that of in 0% taurine fed ovariectomized group even though the level of minerals in ovariectomized was lower than In sham group, which indicates that taurine supplementation might have benificial effects on osteoporosis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.20.1-20.8
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of taurine for juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) at low water temperature ($16.4{\pm}0.36^{\circ}C$). Fish meal (FM)-based diet was used as the control diet. Four other experimental diets were prepared by adding taurine to FM-based diet at 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 1. 50% (T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish (initial mean body weight, 19.5 g) for 10 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance and feed utilization, hematological parameters, non-specific immune responses, whole-body proximate composition, and liver mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were investigated. Feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced while protein efficiency ratio was significantly increased in taurine-supplemented groups. Hematocrit and hemoglobin were also significantly increased while plasma cholesterol levels were decreased in taurine-supplemented groups than those in the control group. Nitroblue-tetrazolium, myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities, and plasma immunoglobulin level were significantly increased by taurine supplementation. These results suggest that dietary taurine supplementation is effective in improving growth performances, feed utilization, and innate immunity of olive flounder in low water temperature season.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.598-602
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• 2003

The purpose of the this experiment was to evaluate taurine supplementation on growth performance backfat thickness and cholesterol and taurine concentrations in finishing pigs. A total of forty eight pigs (71.11$\pm$0.14kg initial body weight) were used in a growth assay. The control diet (CON) was corn-soybean meal based diet, whereas the other dietary treatments were supplemented by additional 0.3 and 0.6% of taurine into the control diet (TAU 0.3 and TAU 0.6, respectively). As the addition of taurine in the diets increased average daily weight gain (Quadratic effect, p＜0.05) and gain/feed (Quadratic effect p＜0.02) were improved. Total - cholesterol concentrations of serum (Linear effect, p＜0.04) and liver (Linear effect, p＜0.01) decreased with increasing taurine. As the addition of taurine in the diets increased taurine concentrations of plasma (Linear effect, p＜0.01), liver (Linear effect, p＜0.01) and boston butt (Linear effect, p＜0.01) were increased. In conclusion, finishing pigs fed the dietary taurine had improved growth ratio and decreased total-cholesterol concentrations of serum and liver. Also, finishing pigs fed the dietary taurine had increased taurine concentrations of plasma and boston butt.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.404-414
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• 2015

Taurine is one of the most abundant free ${\beta}$-amino acids in the human body that accounts for 0.1% of the human body weight. It has a sulfonic acid group in place of the more common carboxylic acid group. Mollusks and meat are the major dietary source of taurine, and mother's milks also include high levels of this amino acid. The leukocytes, heart, muscle, retina, kidney, bone, and brain contain more taurine than other organs. Furthermore, taurine can be synthesized in the brain and liver from cysteine. There are no side effects of excessive taurine intake in humans; however, in case of taurine deficiency, retinal abnormalities, reduced plasma taurine concentration, and other abnormalities may occur. Taurine enters the cell via a cell membrane receptor. It is excreted in the urine (approximately 95%) and feces (approximately 5%). Taurine has a number of features and functions, including conjugation with bile acid, reduction of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promotion of neuron cell differentiation and growth, antioxidant effects, maintenance of cell membrane stability, retinal development, energy generation, depressant effects, regulation of calcium level, muscle contraction and relaxation, bone formation, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer and anti-atherogenic effects, and osmotic pressure control. However, the properties, functions, and effects of taurine require further studies in future.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.205-209
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• 2016

A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred to Gyeongsang National University Animal Medical Center for labored breathing. According to the patient's history, the client had fed him commercial dog foods. The patient's hematological, radiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were evaluated for diagnosis. Echocardiography results showed marked dilations of ventricles and atriums and mitral regurgitation. A systolic dysfunction was detected. Plasma taurine concentration was lower than the reference range. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with feline dilated cardiomyopathy associated with taurine deficiency. Treatment included feline commercial foods, taurine, digoxin, furosemide, and clopidogrel. Digoxin was changed to pimobendan when normal blood pressure was achieved. Clinical signs improved gradually and no abnormalities were detected on echocardiograms at 10 weeks following onset of treatment.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.7-20
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• 1995

Taurine, a ${\beta}-amino$ acid, plays an important role as a neuromodulator and is necessary for the normal development of the brain. Since de novo synthesis of taurine in the brain is minimal and in vivo studies suggest that taurine dose not cross the blood-brain barrier, we examined whether the choroid plexus, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, plays a role in taurine transport in the central nervous system. The uptake of $[^3H]-taurine$ into ATP depleted choroid plexus from rabbit was substantially greater in the presence of an inwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient taurine accumulation was negligible. A transient in side-negative potential gradient enhanced the $Na^+-driven$ uptake of taurine into the tissue slices, suggesting that the transport process is electrogenic, $Na^+-driven$ taurine uptake was saturable with an estimated $V_{max}$ of $111\;{\pm}\;20.2\;nmole/g/15\;min$ and a $K_M\;of\;99.8{\pm}29.9\;{\mu}M$. The estimated coupling ratio of $Na^+$ and taurine was $1.80\;{\pm}\;0.122.$ $Na^+-dependent$ taurine uptake was significantly inhibited by ${\beta}-amino$ acids, but not by ${\alpha}-amino$ acids, indicating that the transporter is selective for ${\beta}-amino$ acids. Since it is known that the physiological concentration of taurine in the CSF is lower than that in the plasma, the active transport system we characterized may face the brush border (i.e., CSF facing) side of the choroid plexus and actively transport taurine out of the CSF. Therefore, we examined in vivo elimination of taurine from the CSF in the rat to determine whether elimination kinetics of taurine from the CSF is consistent with the in vitro study. Using a stereotaxic device, cannulaes were placed into the lateral ventricle and the cisterna magna of the rat. Radio-labelled taurine and inulin (a marker of CSF flow) were injected into the lateral ventricle, and the concentrations of the labelled compounds in the CSF were monitored for upto 3 hrs in the cisterna magna. The apparent clearance of taurine from CSF was greater than the estimated CSF flow (p<0.005) indicating that there is a clearance process in addition to the CSF flow. Taurine distribution into the choroid plexus was at least 10 fold higher than that found in other brain areas (e. g., cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex). When unlabelled taurine was co-administered with radio-labelled taurine, the apparent clearance of taurine was reduced (p<0.0l), suggesting a saturable disposition of taurine from CSF. Distribution of taurine into the choroid plexus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex was similarly diminished, indicating that the saturable uptake of taurine into these tissues is responsible for the non-linear disposition. A pharmacokinetic model involving first order elimination and saturable distribution described these data adequately. The Michaelis-Menten rate constant estimated from in vivo elimination study is similar to that obtained in the in vitro uptake experiment. Collectively, our results demonstrate that taurine is transported in the choroid plexus via a $Na^+-dependent,saturable$ and apparently ${\beta}-amino$ acid selective mechanism. This process may be functionally relevant to taurine homeostasis in the brain.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.145-151
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of taurine and vitamin E on ovarian granulosa cells damaged by bromopropane (BP) in pigs. We evaluated cell viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and apoptotic morphological change in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. The cells were treated with 1-BP (0, 5.0, 10, and $50{\mu}M$), 2-BP (0, 5.0, 10, and 50 mM), taurine (0, 5.0, 10, and 25 mM), and vitamin E (0, 100, 200, and $400{\mu}M$) for 24 h. $10{\mu}M$ 1-BP and $50{\mu}M$ 2-BP inhibited viability and PMI, and induced apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells (p < 0.05). Cell viability and PMI were increased by taurine (10 and 25 mM) and vitamin E (100 and $200{\mu}M$), and apoptosis decreased (p < 0.05). Finally, the porcine ovarian granulosa cells were co-treated with BPs ($10{\mu}M$), taurine (10 mM) and/or vitamin E ($200{\mu}M$). Cell viability and PMI in the co-treated cells were increased, and apoptosis was decreased. In conclusion, taurine and vitamin E can improve cell viability and inhibition of apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells damaged by bromopropane.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.154-155
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• 1998

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid is widely distributed in animal tissues and has a variety of biological activities. A recent worldwide study demonstrated beneficial effects of taurine on aging and age-associated disorders. In general, taurine levels in the brain decrease when an animal is subjected to pathologic conditions such as ischemia-anoxia and seizure. But taurine levels tend to increase in the brain in hypertention. In the present study, the blood-brain barrier BBB) transport of [$^3$H]taurine was compared between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) using Internal artery carotid perfusion (ICAP) at a rate of 4$m\ell$/min for 10, 15 and 30 second. Calculated V$\_$D/, volume of distribution in brain, and PS, the permeability surface area product of [$^3$H]taurine through the BBB in SHR was a little lower than that in SD. PS for 15s is more higher than that of other seconds in both of them. It could be followed by taurine efflux back into blood after 15s. We also obtained pharmacokinetic parameters using intravenous injection of plasma volume marker, [$\^$14/C]sucrose and [$^3$H] taurine. PS value of [$^3$H]taurine in SHR (16.1 ${\pm}$ 2.9 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g) was significantly higher than that in SD (7.4 ${\pm}$ 0.8 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g). There is also significant difference for %ID/g in brain between SHR (0.195 ${\pm}$ 0.031) and SD (0.058 ${\pm}$ 0.003).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of taurine supplementation and taurine depletion on blood glucose and blood lipid concentrations in insulin-treated diabetic rats. Four groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed the purified diet for 3 weeks ; nontaurine-supplemented diabetic rats(E0), nontaurine-supplemented diabetic rats with insulin treatment(E0＋I), 1% taurine-supplemented diabetic rats with insulin treatment(E1＋I) and taurine-depleted diabetic rats with insulin treatment(EA＋I). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection(50mg/kg B.W.). Isophane insulin was given subcutaneously into the abdominal wall of the diabetic rats(4 unit/rat/day). E1＋I were supplemented with 1% taurine in drinking water. To induce taurine depletion, EA＋I were treated with 5% $\beta$-alanine in drinking water. E1＋I had significantly higher body weight compared to that of E0. The food intakes of E1＋I and E0＋I were significantly decreased compared to that of E0. There was no sigfniciant difference in food intake between E1＋I and E0＋I. The water intake of rats was significantly different among the groups ; E0>E0＋I>E1＋I>EA＋I. The urine volume of E0 was significantly increased compared to those of insulin-treated goups. The blood glucose concentration of E0 was significantly increased compared to those of insulin-treated groups. In the oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT), E0＋I and E1＋I had significantly lower blood blucose concentrations compared to E0 after 30 min. Also EA＋I had significantly lower bloodglucose concentrtion compared to E0 and E0＋I. The plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentratons of EA＋I were significantly incrased compared to those of other groups. Therefore, it may be suggested that tuarine supplementation is useful for insulin-dependent diabetes in order to prevent diabetic complications suchas cardiac vascular diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.225-232
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• 1999

Apo E polymorphism(e2, e3, e4) was among the first reported genetic polymorphism that explained part of the normal variation in plasma cholesterol concentrations. Among 62 normolipidemic healthy females, aged 19 up to 22 years, the relative frequencies of E3/3 was 0.806(n=50), E3/2 was 0.081(n=5), E3/4 allele was 0.113(n=7), and no E2/2, E2/4 and E4/4 were found. Based on the five samples of E2 allele, five subjects were randomly selected by E3 and E4 groups for the study of effects of apo E polymorphism on the distribution of serum lipid and amino acids profiles. No differences in the anthro pometric data among apo E isomers were found, otherwise the pulsation was higher in E4 than that in the others. There were no differences in plasma total HDL , HDL3 , HDL2 & LDL cholesterol, and apo A I concentrations. However, phenotype means significantly rank E2>E3>E4 allele in average TG levels(p=0.014), and rank E4>E3>E2 in total cholesterol levels(p=0.011). Atherogenic index(AI) such as lipoproteins was significantly increased in E2 & E4 than that in E3(p=0.045). Subjects with E3/2 allele had significantly higher concentrations of glutamine, phosphoserine and taurine, while subjects with E3/4 allele showed significantly lower concentrations of arginine and am inobutyrate and elevated level of phosphoserine in plasma com pared to those of E3/3 allele. Higher level of plasma taurine in subjects with E3/2 or E3/4 allele appears to be related to the elevated level of plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations compared to those of E3/3 allele.