NeuroTalk Support Groups - View Single Post

mrsD · 10-01-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2007;21(3-4):63-77.Links
Taurine-diabetes interaction: from involvement to protection.
Kim SJ, Ramesh C, Gupta H, Lee W.

Department of Pharmacology, Metabolic Diseases Research Laboratory, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. kimsj@khu.ac.kr

Taurine is a sulfur amino acid (2-amino ethane sulfonic acid) and has been claimed for a number of beneficial actions ranging from anti-epilepsy to anti-hypertension. Taurine in diabetes has an age old story; taurine is involved in the development and protection of insulin apparatus. Taurine and insulin both have mutual stimulating actions with hypoglycemic properties. On the clinical front, taurine supplementation has an acceptable beneficial effect in platelet aggregation and, to name few more, in neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and nephropathy to retinopathy. Recent studies have provided a role for taurine in fetal development and in blocking the transfer of diabetes from diabetic mother to offspring. A number of mechanisms for the actions of taurine have been advocated, from osmoregulation to anti-oxidation. Though sulfonylurea and recently introduced thiazolidinediones are effective, however they are not free from complications, thus there is a need to design new therapeutics. As taurine is also a sulfonyl derivative, it will be of great interest to develop taurine analogues as an alternative therapy. Considering the great involvement of taurine in diabetes, this review may provide a holistic view of taurine in diabetes and in its prevention in this century.
PMID: 18261258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

and this: I have been using taurine for the bile salt reason, and for pre-diabetes issues:

Quote:

Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2006 Nov;9(6):728-33.Click here to read Links
Is taurine a functional nutrient?
Bouckenooghe T, Remacle C, Reusens B.

Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire, Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bâtiment Carnoy Place, Croix du Sud 5, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Taurine, a free amino acid, is found in millimolar concentrations in most mammalian tissues. Mammals are able to synthesize taurine endogenously, but some species such as humans are more dependent on dietary sources of taurine. A growing body of evidence suggests that taurine plays a preponderant role in many physiological processes, which will be summarized in this review. RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence for the requirement of taurine in the human diet has been obtained in many studies involving animal models and a few clinical trials. Recent and past studies suggested that taurine might be a pertinent candidate for use as a nutritional supplement to protect against oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases or atherosclerosis. Taurine has demonstrated promising actions in vitro, and as a result clinical trials have begun to investigate its effects on various diseases. SUMMARY: Taurine appears to have multiple functions and plays an important role in many physiological processes, such as osmoregulation, immunomodulation and bile salt formation. Taurine analogues/derivatives have recently been reported to have a marked activity on various disorders. Taken together, these observations actualize the old story of taurine.
PMID: 17053427 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

It is listed here as a "potential" aid:

Quote:

Altern Med Rev. 2006 Dec;11(4):294-329.Click here to read Links
Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.
Head KA.

Thorne Research, Inc., PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA. kathih@thorne.com

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results in significant morbidity. Conventional pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer significant benefit to this patient population. Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are among the most well-researched alternative options for the treatment of PN. Other potential nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. John's wort. In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.
PMID: 17176168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Taurine is thought to be depleted in diabetics, which is different from non-diabetics. This article discusses taurine in connection with that depletion:

Quote:

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Jan;288(1):E29-36.Click here to read Links
Taurine replacement attenuates hyperalgesia and abnormal calcium signaling in sensory neurons of STZ-D rats.
Li F, Obrosova IG, Abatan O, Tian D, Larkin D, Stuenkel EL, Stevens MJ.

Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

The etiology of painful diabetic neuropathy is poorly understood, but may result from neuronal hyperexcitability secondary to alterations of Ca2+ signaling in sensory neurons. The naturally occurring amino acid taurine functions as an osmolyte, antioxidant, Ca2+ modulator, inhibitory neurotransmitter, and analgesic such that its depletion in diabetes may predispose one to neuronal hyperexcitability and pain. This study reports the effects of taurine replacement on hyperalgesia and sensory neuron Ca2+ homeostasis in streptozotocin-diabetic (STZ-D) rats. Nondiabetic and STZ-D rats were treated with a 2% taurine-supplemented diet for 6-12 wk. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were determined by measuring hindpaw withdrawal latency to radiant heat and the withdrawal threshold to the von Frey anesthesiometer. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling was explored in neurons from L4-L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG), using fura 2 fluorescence. Taurine replacement of diabetic rats attenuated deficits of nerve conduction and prevented reductions of mechanical and thermal withdrawal threshold and latency, respectively. In small DRG sensory neurons from diabetic rats, recovery of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to KCl was slowed and 73% corrected by taurine. The amplitudes of caffeine and ATP-induced [Ca2+]i transients were decreased by 47 and 27% (P < 0.05), respectively, in diabetic rat DRG sensory neurons and corrected by 74 and 93% (P < 0.05), respectively, by taurine replacement. These data indicate that taurine is important in the regulation of neuronal Ca2+ signaling and that taurine deficiency may predispose one to nerve hyperexcitability and pain, complicating diabetes.
PMID: 15585600 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

So dosing and length of time to use are not available yet.

I myself use 1000mg/day. I have not noticed any change in my pain levels from it. But it has helped my gall bladder symptoms (sluggish but no stones) tremendously.
So I don't think it can hurt you.

Please keep us up to date, as well, Monica.