Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Protective Action in Various Toxicological Models

Abstract

Natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention over the last 3 decades. At the same time, the attitude to free radicals is slowly changing, and their signalling role in adaptation to stress has recently received a lot of attention. Among many different antioxidants in the body, taurine (Tau), a sulphur-containing non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, is shown to have a special place as an important natural modulator of the antioxidant defence networks. Indeed, Tau is synthesised in most mammals and birds, and the Tau requirement is met by both synthesis and food/feed supply. From the analysis of recent data, it could be concluded that the direct antioxidant effect of Tau due to scavenging free radicals is limited and could be expected only in a few mammalian/avian tissues (e.g., heart and eye) with comparatively high (>15–20 mM) Tau concentrations. The stabilising effects of Tau on mitochondria, a prime site of free radical formation, are characterised and deserve more attention. Tau deficiency has been shown to compromise the electron transport chain in mitochondria and significantly increase free radical production. It seems likely that by maintaining the optimal Tau status of mitochondria, it is possible to control free radical production. Tau’s antioxidant protective action is of great importance in various stress conditions in human life, and is related to commercial animal and poultry production. In various in vitro and in vivo toxicological models, Tau showed AO protective effects. The membrane-stabilizing effects, inhibiting effects on ROS-producing enzymes, as well as the indirect AO effects of Tau via redox balance maintenance associated with the modulation of various transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 and NF-κB) and vitagenes could also contribute to its protective action in stress conditions, and thus deserve more attention.

Taurine inhibits Streptococcus uberis-induced NADPH oxidase-dependent neutrophil extracellular traps via TAK1/MAPK signaling pathways

“…Antioxidants are often used as NETosis modulators due to the close association of ROS with NETosis ( 33 ). Taurine is involved in the maintenance of neutrophil redox homeostasis ( 15 ). It has been reported taurine has prorotective effect on respiratory burst activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in endotoxemia ( 27 ).…”

“…Neutrophils are important effector cells in the mammary gland inflammatory response. Taurine, present in neutrophils at levels of up to 20-50 mM, has a regulatory effect on the immune function of neutrophils ( 15 ). For example, taurine supplementation in vitro has been shown to down-regulate pro-inflammatory-related gene expression in bovine PMN and to improve cellular antioxidant properties ( 16 ).…”

Taurine ameliorates volatile organic compounds-induced cognitive impairment in young rats via suppressing oxidative stress, regulating neurotransmitter and activating NMDA receptor

“…Taurine has been demonstrated to protect cultured cells, organs, and mammals from the harmful effects of oxidative stress caused by a wide range of chemicals, such as Arsenic, carbon tetrachloride, Nitrogen content, arsenide, Endosulfan, cisplatin, adriamycin, Streptozotocin, Bisphenol A, etc. Harmful consequences of oxidative stress (38,39). According to in vitro and in vivo studies, taurine's neuroprotective potential is due to its antioxidant action in the brain (40).…”

Caffeine and Its Antioxidant Properties—It Is All about Dose and Source

“…Although it is a compound that is endogenously synthesized in the body, antioxidant effects are only visible in higher concentrations. The additional intake could bring benefits correlated with the antioxidant action (stabilization of cell membranes, inhibition of enzymes involved in the generation of ROS, modulation of transcription factors such as Nrf2 and NF-kB) [ 97 ].…”