Taurine

dignan · Family Elder Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 1212

I think this is interesting because taurine is one of the main ingredients in energy drinks like Red Bull. The study seem relevant to MS since neuroprotection is obviously key, and mitochondrial dysfunction is being increasingly implicated in MS.

Taurine increases mitochondrial buffering of calcium: role in neuroprotection.

Amino Acids. 2006 Sep 8;
El Idrissi A.
Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island of the City University of New York, New York, U.S.A..

We have determined the role of mitochondria in the sequestration of calcium after stimulation of cerebellar granule cells with glutamate. In addition we have evaluated the neuroprotective role of taurine in excitotoxic cell death.

Mitochondrial inhibitors were used to determine the calcium buffering capacity of mitochondria, as well as how taurine regulates the ability of mitochondria to buffer intracellular calcium during glutamate depolarization and excitotoxicity. We report here that pre-treatment of cerebellar granule cells with taurine (1 mM, 24 h) significantly counteracted glutamate excitotoxicity.

The neuroprotective role of taurine was mediated through regulation of cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca(2+)]( i )), and intra-mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, as determined by fluo-3 and (45)Ca(2+)-uptake. Furthermore, the overall mitochondrial function was increased in the presence of taurine, as assessed by rhodamine accumulation into mitochondria and total cellular ATP levels. We specifically tested the hypothesis that taurine reduces glutamate excitotoxicity through both the enhancement of mitochondrial function and the regulation of intracellular (cytoplasmic and intra-mitochondrial) calcium homeostasis.

The role of taurine in modulating mitochondrial calcium homeostasis could be of particular importance under pathological conditions that are characterized by excessive calcium overloads. Taurine may serve as an endogenous neuroprotective molecule against brain insults.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16955229&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Lyon · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:44 pm Post subject:

I'm certain that I'm capable of understanding every word if you would just tell me which language they are speaking.

Just kidding and thanks for posting that reading material.

I wonder if they can still pronounce those word when they're half sauced at a social gathering? I'll have to ask Ian.
Bob

dignan · Family Elder Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 1212

I wish I knew the language. I read these things like somebody with a really spotty knowledge of a foreign language. Certain key words and phrases jump out at me, like: "glutamate excitotoxicity", "enhancement of mitochondrial function" and "neuroprotection". From there I just assume it might be relevant to MS.

Lyon · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject:

That's what I usually do and I thought I was getting pretty good at it but that particular post didn't have ANY words I could lean on.

At any rate, thanks. I'm glad to hear that we all bluff our way through some of these research papers, although I do hope SOMEONE knows what they mean.

By the way, I edited and changed my original post thinking it would be hours before someone responded and when I submitted it I noticed that you had responded between times. I took a little dig at Ian and I make it clear that I drastically changed the post from when dignan read it and responded.....sorry!

Bob

raven · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:10 am Post subject:

A brief translation if you want it.....

The cells of our body use ATP for energy. Mitochondria are organelles within cells that turn the proceeds of digestion into ATP that the cells can use. Intracellular calcium is an important catalyst within this process.

Glutomate is a neurotransmitter which can stimulate mitochondria.

Glutamate excitotoxicity is when the mitochondria overload due to glutamate stimulation (a little like over-revving your engine until it blows).

The gist of this article is that Turine helps to improve mitochondrial calcium homeostasis i.e. helps the mitochondria to self regulate their calcium levels. In addition mitochondrial function appears to improve as shown by increased levels of ATP. In effect this damps the effect of glutamate and helps the mitochondria and the cell to survive.

Glutamate excitotoxity is believed to play a role in MS.

What isn't clear is exactly how much Red Bull you'd have to down for it to have any effect at all. I suspect you'd OD on caffiene before you got anywhere near it!

HTH

Robin
_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

dignan · Family Elder Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 1212

Robin,

Thanks for the explanation. I think I see the light. I imagine you're right about how much Red Bull you'd have to drink to get significant benefits. I'll have to cancel the writing of my new book, "The Red Bull Cure".

That's it.

Lyon · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:41 pm Post subject:

ljm · Family Elder Joined: Mar 31, 2005 Posts: 151

Is anyone trying (or going to try) this as a supplement? Its pretty widely available (outside of red bull & other energy drinks)

Libreni · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject:

I'll try it.