Taurine in Septic Critically Ill Patients: Plasma versus Blood

Purpose: Sepsis and SIRS encompass various problems throughout the body, and two of its major problems are the creation of oxidative substances in the body and decrease of the body's antioxidant capacity to deal with the stress and organ damage. Optimal Enteral Nutrition (EN) fortified with antioxidant or immunomodulator amino acid is a hot topic concerning sepsis in the critical care setting. Taurine plays a protective role as an antioxidant in cells that is likely to have a protective role in inflammation and cytotoxicity. Methods: In the present study, 20 septic patients and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The blood and plasma taurine levels of the patients on days 1, 3 and 7 were measured. Blood and plasma taurine level and the correlation between them, organ failure, and severity of the disease were assessed. Results: Taurine concentrations in the plasma of the septic patients were significantly lower than control group, and the whole blood concentrations were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.001). There was not a significant correlation between the blood and plasma taurine levels in control and septic patients. In addition, there was not any correlation between the severity of the disease, organ failure, mortality, and plasma as well as the blood concentration of taurine. Conclusion: In septic patients, taurine concentration in plasma and blood are low and high, respectively. These concentrations are not linked to each other and not associated with the patients’ outcome, and the disease severity, and organ failure.

Comparative studies on nutritional composition of captive and wild southern hake Merluccius australis broodstocks

The proximal composition, amino acids and fatty acid profile were determined in whole body of wild and captive southern hake (Merluccius australis) in order to evaluate the differences in nutrients content due to the nutritional quality of the feed consumed during broodstock conditioning of this species. Body composition of southern hake did not show significant differences in dry matter, protein or ash content between both studied groups. Conversely, lipid content was significantly higher in the whole body of captive fish compared to the wild fish. In addition, the concentration of linoleic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids, showed significantly higher level in captive hake than the wild hake. Amino acids concentrations did not vary between fish, except threonine and taurine. Threonine concentration was higher in wild hake whereas taurine concentration was higher in captive hake. The results of this comparative study provide a better understanding of the effects of supplemented feed currently used to acclimate and maintain in captivity southern hake broodstock.

Use of 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (taurine) for cryopreservation and storage of Siberian sturgeon sperm

The research aimed to determine the effect of different taurine concentrations on the duration of sperm fertility preservation and the results of further use during cryopreservation. The taurine was injected into the sperm of the Siberian sturgeon by various methods under conditions of low positive temperatures. Immediately after preparation, the taurine was injected into native sperm at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mmol/ml. Two methods of introducing taurine into native sperm were tested: 1 (dry method) - adding taurine powder directly to native sperm and 2 (wet method) - adding taurine dissolved in saline to native sperm. The studies have shown that injections of taurine in an amount of 0.05 - 0.1 mmol/ml both dry and wet can be recommended as the method of long-term preservation of the native sperm of Siberian sturgeon viability. While storing Siberian sturgeon sperm for further cryopreservation the optimal taurine concentration is 0.01 mmol/ml.

Association of Taurine with In-Hospital Mortality in Patients after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Results from the Prospective, Observational COMMUNICATE Study

Background: Studies have suggested that taurine may have neuro- and cardio-protective functions, but there is little research looking at taurine levels in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Our aim was to evaluate the association of taurine with mortality and neurological deficits in a well-defined cohort of OHCA patients. Methods: We prospectively measured serum taurine concentration in OHCA patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Basel (Switzerland). We analyzed the association of taurine levels and in-hospital mortality (primary endpoint). We further evaluated neurological outcomes assessed by the cerebral performance category scale. We calculated logistic regression analyses and report odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We calculated different predefined multivariable regression models including demographic variables, comorbidities, initial vital signs, initial blood markers and resuscitation measures. We assessed discrimination by means of area under the receiver operating curve (ROC). Results: Of 240 included patients, 130 (54.2%) survived until hospital discharge and 110 (45.8%) had a favorable neurological outcome. Taurine levels were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 4.12 (95%CI 1.22 to 13.91), p = 0.02). In addition, a significant association between taurine concentration and a poor neurological outcome was observed (adjusted OR of 3.71 (95%CI 1.13 to 12.25), p = 0.03). Area under the curve (AUC) suggested only low discrimination for both endpoints (0.57 and 0.57, respectively). Conclusion: Admission taurine levels are associated with mortality and neurological outcomes in OHCA patients and may help in the risk assessment of this vulnerable population. Further studies are needed to assess whether therapeutic modulation of taurine may improve clinical outcomes after cardiac arrest.

Effect of the addition of the antioxidant taurine on the complete blood count of whole blood stored at room temperature and at 4°C for up to 3 days

Background: The complete blood count is one of the most common routine tests. This study aimed to evaluate possible effects of the antioxidant taurine on the complete blood count of whole blood stored at room temperature and at 4°C over three days.Methods: Venous blood samples of 15 healthy males were distributed into two sets of tubes with each set of three tubes containing 50 μL of solutions with zero, 5 g/L, 10 g/L taurine. The tubes were kept at room temperature or at 4°C. Complete blood counts were performed on three successive days. The mean percentage changes [Δ = (mean value – mean baseline value) / mean baseline value x 100] were calculated and compared.Results: Complete blood count parameters exhibited different patterns of behaviour which were affected by the storage temperature, time and taurine concentration. Taurine at room temperature significantly enhanced the stability of: the platelet count over three days (Δ3 at 5 and 10 g/L taurine were 6.18, and 2.53 x 109 cells/L, respectively); the red blood cell count over three days (Δ3 at 5 and 10 g/L taurine were 2.59, and 1.39 x 1012 cells/L, respectively); mean corpuscular haemoglobin over three days (Δ3 at 5 and 10 g/L taurine were,-0.62 and -0.52 fl respectively); and red cell distribution width over two days (Δ2 at 5 and 10 g/L taurine were 1.30% and -0.1%, respectively). No additional stabilizing effects of taurine were reported for the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and haemoglobin, while it negatively affected the white blood cell stability.Conclusion: Complete blood count parameters exhibited variable stability patterns in respect to temperature, time and taurine concentration.

Improvement of survival and development of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei larvae by feeding taurine enriched rotifers

<p>ABSTRACT</p><p><br />The objective of the present experiment was to study the most optimum taurine enrichment concentration of rotifers in improving Pacific white shrimp larva Litopenaeus vannamei survival and development. White shrimp larvae at sixth naupliar stage were reared in 12 units of 500 L fibre glass tanks with a stocking density of 125 ind/L. Starting from zoea two stage (Z-2), the larva was provided with rotifers with different taurine enrichment concentration according to the treatments, i.e. 0 mg/L enrichment medium (A), 25 mg/L (B), 50 mg/L(C), and 100 mg/L (D). The results show that different taurine concentration in the enrichment media increased taurine level in rotifers. Furthermore, the administration of taurine enriched rotifers up to 50 mg/L significantly improved larval survival and may accelerate larval development. The experimental results also concluded that a concentration of 50 mg/L is the most optimum taurine enrichment concentration of rotifers for the improvement of white shrimp larval survival and developmental stage.</p><p><br />Keywords: taurine, rotifer, white shrimp, enrichment</p><p><br />ABSTRAK<br />Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji konsentrasi optimum taurin melalui pengayaan pada rotifera terhadap tingkat kelangsungan hidup dan perkembangan stadia larva udang vaname Litopenaeus vannamei. Larva udang vaname stadia naupli-6 dipelihara dalam 12 tangki fiberglass volume 500 L dengan kepadatan 125 ind/L. Dimulai sejak stadia zoea 2 (Z-2) larva diberi rotifera yang diperkaya dengan taurin dengan konsentrasi yang berbeda sesuai dengan perlakuan, yaitu 0 mg/L media pengkaya (A), 25 mg/L (B), 50mg/L (C), dan 100mg/L (D). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pengayaan taurin pada konsentrasi yang berbeda menyebabkan peningkatan kandungan taurin rotifera. Sementara pemberian rotifera yang diperkaya taurin hingga 50 mg/L meningkatkan kelangsungan hidup dan mempercepat perkembangan stadia larva udang. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemberian rotifera yang diperkaya taurin dengan konsentrasi 50 mg/L menghasilkan tingkat kelangsungan hidup tertinggi (53,5%) dan perkembangan larva yang tercepat (p&lt;0,05) dibandingkan perlakuan lainnya.<br /><br />Kata kunci: taurin, rotifera, udang vanname, pengayaan</p>

Development of a Novel Cysteine Sulfinic Acid Decarboxylase Knockout Mouse: Dietary Taurine Reduces Neonatal Mortality

We engineered a CSAD KO mouse to investigate the physiological roles of taurine. The disruption of the CSAD gene was verified by Southern, Northern, and Western blotting. HPLC indicated an 83% decrease of taurine concentration in the plasma of CSAD-/-. Although CSAD-/- generation (G)1 and G2 survived, offspring from G2 CSAD-/- had low brain and liver taurine concentrations and most died within 24 hrs of birth. Taurine concentrations in G3 CSAD-/- born from G2 CSAD-/- treated with taurine in the drinking water were restored and survival rates of G3 CSAD-/- increased from 15% to 92%. The mRNA expression of CDO, ADO, and TauT was not different in CSAD-/- compared to WT and CSAD mRNA was not expressed in CSAD-/-. Expression of Gpx 1 and 3 was increased significantly in CSAD-/- and restored to normal levels with taurine supplementation. Lactoferrin and the prolactin receptor were significantly decreased in CSAD-/-. The prolactin receptor was restored with taurine supplementation. These data indicated that CSAD KO is a good model for studying the effects of taurine deficiency and its treatment with taurine supplementation.

Amino acid content of selected plant, algae and insect species: a search for alternative protein sources for use in pet foods

In response to global economic duress and heightened consumer awareness of nutrition and health, sustainable and natural ingredients are in demand. Identification of alternative sources of nitrogen and amino acids, including taurine, may help meet dietary requirements while fostering sustainability and natural feeding approaches. Twenty plants, eighteen marine algae and five insect species were analysed. All samples were freeze-dried, hydrolysed and filtered prior to amino acid analysis. Samples for amino acids were analysed in duplicate and averaged. Nitrogen was analysed and crude protein (CP) determined by calculation. With the exception of taurine concentration in soldier fly larvae, all insects exceeded both the National Research Council's canine and feline minimal requirements (MR) for growth of all essential amino acids (EAA) and CP. Although some plants and marine algal species exceeded the canine and feline MR for growth for EAA and CP, only very low concentrations of taurine were found in plants. Taurine concentration in insects was variable but high, with the greatest concentration found in ants (6·42 mg/g DM) and adult flesh flies (3·33 mg/g DM). Taurine was also high in some macroalgae, especially the red algal species: Mazaella spp. (4·11 mg/g DM), Porphyra spp. (1·22 mg/g DM) and Chondracanthus spp. (6·28 mg/g DM). Preliminary results suggest that insects and some marine algal species may be practical alternatives to traditional protein and supplemental taurine sources in pet foods. Safety, bioavailability, palatability and source variability of alternative items as food ingredients should be investigated prior to incorporation into canine and feline diets.

Plasma taurine as a predictor of poor outcome in patients with mild neurological deficits after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Object The object of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma taurine and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) outcome. Methods Forty patients with SAH and mild neurological deficits were included in this prospective, blinded cohort study. Plasma taurine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography on admission and were correlated with patient outcomes at discharge. Results Twenty-five percent of the patients ultimately had a poor outcome. Plasma taurine concentrations at admission were increased (2-fold) in SAH patients with a favorable outcome and were further increased (6-fold) in those who had a poor outcome. Increased taurine levels identified patients who would be discharged with a poor outcome, with sensitivity and specificity values of approximately 80% and 100%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of approximately 90%. Delayed cerebral vasospasm showed an OR of 27.9 (95% CI 1.090–714.9) for a poor outcome, whereas an increased taurine concentration had an OR of 105 for a poor outcome (95% CI 8.3–1328.0, p < 0.001). Conclusions Increased plasma taurine concentrations on admission predict a poor outcome in SAH.