Taurine Administration Counteracts Aging-Associated Impingement of Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Sarcopenia, which occurs during aging, is characterized by the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, resulting in a functional decline in physical abilities. Several factors contribute to the onset of sarcopenia, including reduced regenerative capacity, chronic low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress, leading to the activation of catabolic pathways. Physical activity and adequate protein intake are considered effective strategies able to reduce the incidence and severity of sarcopenia by exerting beneficial effects in improving the muscular anabolic response during aging. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid that is highly expressed in mammalian tissues and, particularly, in skeletal muscle where it is involved in the regulation of biological processes and where it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factor. Here, we evaluated whether taurine administration in old mice counteracts the physiopathological effects of aging in skeletal muscle. We showed that, in injured muscle, taurine enhances the regenerative process by downregulating the inflammatory response and preserving muscle fiber integrity. Moreover, taurine attenuates ROS production in aged muscles by maintaining a proper cellular redox balance, acting as an antioxidant molecule. Although further studies are needed to better elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effect of taurine on skeletal muscle homeostasis, these data demonstrate that taurine administration ameliorates the microenvironment allowing an efficient regenerative process and attenuation of the catabolic pathways related to the onset of sarcopenia.

Association of taurine intake with changes in physical fitness among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Japanese adults: an 8-year longitudinal study

“…Taurine depletion predisposes the heart to fibrosis, which leads to cardiac fibrosis upon aging ( 37 ). Taurine counteracted aging-associated impingement of skeletal muscle regeneration ( 38 ). These results suggest that taurine may contribute to the maintenance of normal muscle function in middle-aged and older adults and that long-term taurine intake may increase taurine levels in muscles, modulate calcium ion release/uptake, and contribute to muscle strength maintenance.…”

Metabolic Pathways and Ion Channels Involved in Skeletal Muscle Atrophy: A Starting Point for Potential Therapeutic Strategies

“…Taurine is a sulfonic amino acid prevalent in excitable tissues and of fundamental importance in the function of skeletal muscle [ 172 , 173 ]. Taurine controls muscle excitability directly or mediated by PKC and modulates intracellular calcium homeostasis.…”

The inflammatory response, a mixed blessing for muscle homeostasis and plasticity

“…A recent study has shown that taurine, a non-essential AA, has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of age-related sarcopenia. Taurine improves skeletal muscle regeneration, reduces chronic inflammation, and decreases high levels of oxidative stress thereby counteracting the effects of aging ( Barbiera et al, 2022 ). Another recent study has shown that supplementation with essential AA reduces the loss in muscle volume in immobilized older adults recovering from total knee arthroplasty ( Dreyer et al, 2018 ).…”