Taurine and osmoregulation: Platelet taurine content, uptake, and release in type 2 diabetic patients

In this study, plasma and platelet taurine content and fluxes were determin ed in 38 type 2 diabetic patients and in 26 healthy control subjects. Tauri ne levels in diabetic patients were significantly lower than in control sub jects both in plasma (32.1 v 48.6 mu mol/L, P = .000) and platelets (148 v 183 nmol/mg protein, P = .043). Platelet taurine uptake in diabetic patient s was significantly reduced (321.2 v 524.9 pmol total taurine 10(8) platele t(-1) min(-20), P = .000), whereas taurine release increased in comparison to healthy controls (38.7 v 29.5% of platelet H-3 taurine at the start of i ncubation, P = .000). These results may reflect modified systems of taurine carriers or a compensatory mechanism in response to an increase of other o rganic osmolytes. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.