Ameliorative effects of taurine against diabetes: a review

Amino Acids. 2018 May;50(5):487-502. doi: 10.1007/s00726-018-2544-4. Epub 2018 Feb 28.

Abstract

Diets in rats and humans have shown promising results. Taurine improved glucagon activity, promoted glycemic stability, modified glucose levels, successfully addressed hyperglycemia via advanced glycation end-product control, improved insulin secretion and had a beneficial effect on insulin resistance. Taurine treatment performed well against oxidative stress in brain, increased the secretion of required hormones and protected against neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy in diabetes compared with the control. Taurine has been observed to be effective in treatments against diabetic hepatotoxicity, vascular problems and heart injury in diabetes. Taurine was shown to be effective against oxidative stress. The mechanism of action of taurine cannot be explained by one pathway, as it has many effects. Several of the pathways are the advanced glycation end-product pathway, PI3-kinase/AKT pathway and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. The worldwide threat of diabetes underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic measures against this disorder. Taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) is a natural compound that has been studied in diabetes and diabetes-induced complications.

Keywords: Diabetes; Nephropathy; Neuropathy; Retinopathy; Taurine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Diabetes Complications / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Complications / metabolism
  • Diabetes Complications / pathology
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy
  • Hyperglycemia / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Taurine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Taurine
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt