IMMUNONUTRITION - THE ROLE OF TAURINE

Taurine is a sulfonated beta amino acid derived from methionine and cy steine metabolism. It is present in high concentrations in most tissue s and in particular in proinflammatory cells such as polymorphonuclear phagocytes. Initial investigation into the multifaceted properties of this non-toxic physiologic amino acid revealed a link between retinal dysfunction and dietary deficiency. Since then a role for this;amino acid has been found in membrane stabilization, bile salt formation, an tioxidation, calcium homeostasis, growth modulation, and osmoregulatio n. Our own group has demonstrated a key role for taurine in modulation of apoptosis in a variety of cell types. This review summarizes our c urrent knowledge of taurine in nutrition, host proinflammatory cell ho meostasis, therapeutic applications, and its potential immunoregulator y properties. It is our belief that taurine, similar to arginine and g lutamine, is now more than worthy of critical clinical analysis. Nutri tion 1998;14:599-604. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1998.