Taurine supplementation modulates glucose homeostasis and islet function

Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid for human that is involved in the control of glucose homeostasis; however, the mechanisms by which the amino acid affects blood glucose levels are unknown. Using an animal model, we have studied these mechanisms. Mice were supplemented with taurine for...

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Published in:The Journal of nutritional biochemistry 2009-07, Vol.20 (7), p.503-511
Main Authors: Carneiro, Everardo M., Latorraca, Marcia Q., Araujo, Eliana, Beltrá, Marta, Oliveras, Maria J., Navarro, Mónica, Berná, Genoveva, Bedoya, Francisco J., Velloso, Licio A., Soria, Bernat, Martín, Franz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino acids
animal disease models
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
blood glucose
Blood Glucose - drug effects
Blood Glucose - metabolism
Blood glucose homeostasis
Calcium - metabolism
Diabetes
Dietary Supplements
essential amino acids
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression - drug effects
gene overexpression
glucose tolerance
glycemic control
glycemic effect
Homeodomain Proteins - analysis
homeostasis
Homeostasis - drug effects
immunohistochemistry
Insulin - blood
insulin resistance
Insulin sensitivity
Insulin-Secreting Cells - drug effects
Insulin-Secreting Cells - metabolism
islets of Langerhans
Islets of Langerhans - cytology
Islets of Langerhans - drug effects
Islets of Langerhans - metabolism
Male
Mice
noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
nutrient-nutrient interactions
Phosphorylation - drug effects
polymerase chain reaction
protein phosphorylation
protein supplements
Receptor, Insulin - metabolism
sulfonylureas
taurine
Taurine - blood
Taurine - pharmacology
Trans-Activators - analysis
Tyrosine - metabolism
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid for human that is involved in the control of glucose homeostasis; however, the mechanisms by which the amino acid affects blood glucose levels are unknown. Using an animal model, we have studied these mechanisms. Mice were supplemented with taurine for 30 d. Blood glucose homeostasis was assessed by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT). Islet cell function was determined by insulin secretion, cytosolic Ca 2+ measurements and glucose metabolism from isolated islets. Islet cell gene expression and translocation was examined via immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Insulin signaling was studied by Western blot. Islets from taurine-supplemented mice had: (i) significantly higher insulin content, (ii) increased insulin secretion at stimulatory glucose concentrations, (iii) significantly displaced the dose-response curve for glucose-induced insulin release to the left, (iv) increased glucose metabolism at 5·6 and 11·1-mmol/L concentrations; (v) slowed cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+]i) oscillations in response to stimulatory glucose concentrations; (vi) increased insulin, sulfonylurea receptor-1, glucokinase, Glut-2, proconvertase and pancreas duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1) gene expression and (vii) increased PDX-1 expression in the nucleus. Moreover, taurine supplementation significantly increased both basal and insulin stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor in skeletal muscle and liver tissues. Finally, taurine supplemented mice showed an improved IPGTT. These results indicate that taurine controls glucose homeostasis by regulating the expression of genes required for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In addition, taurine enhances peripheral insulin sensitivity.
ISSN:0955-2863
1873-4847
DOI:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2008.05.008