Taurine Transporter Gene Expression in Mononuclear Blood Cells of Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Background. Taurine transporter gene expression (RNA-TauT) has a role in retinal cell function and is modulated in vitro and in vivo by hyperglycemia and/or oxidative stress. This study was aimed at testing whether RNA-TauT gene expression is modified in blood mononuclear peripheral cells (MPCs) of type 1 diabetic patients, is related to plasma markers of oxidative stress or endothelial dysfunction, or, finally, is related to presence of retinopathy. Methods. RNA-TauT was measured in MPCs by real-time PCR-analysis in 35 type 1 diabetic patients and in 33 age- and sex-matched controls, additionally measuring plasma and cell taurine and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Results. RNA-TauT, expressed as 2−ΔΔCt, was significantly higher in MPCs of type 1 diabetic patients than in controls [median (interquartile range): 1.32(0.31) versus 1.00(0.15); P = 0.01]. In diabetic patients RNA-TauT was related to HbA1c (r = 0.42; P = 0.01) and inversely to plasma homocysteine (r = −0.39; P = 0.02) being additionally significantly higher in MPCs of patients without retinopathy [(n = 22); 1.36(0.34)] compared to those with retinopathy [(n = 13); 1.16(0.20)], independently from HbA1c or diabetes duration. Conclusions. RNA-TauT gene expression is significantly upregulated in MPCs of type 1 diabetes patients and is related to HbA1c levels and inversely to plasma homocysteine. Finally, in diabetes patients, RNA-TauT upregulation seems to be blunted in patients with retinopathy independently of their metabolic control or longer diabetes duration.

Significance of taurine transporter (TauT) in homeostasis and its layers of regulation (Review)

“…in addition to changes in osmolarity, hyperglycemia and oxidative stress conditions have also been reported to modulate gene expression of TauT transporter. interestingly, transcriptional levels of TauT transporter were induced in healthy subjects, as compared to type 1 diabetes patients, accompanied by low plasma homocysteine levels (85). in another study, mononuclear peripheral blood cells of patients bearing diabetic retinopathy were characterized by reduced TauT transporter expression (86).…”

Prolonging healthy aging: Longevity vitamins and proteins

“…Its supplementation remediates diabetic pathologies, including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiopathy, atherosclerosis, altered platelet aggregation, and endothelial dysfunction (65). In patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes the taurine transporter is up-regulated in mononuclear blood cells, indicating that increased levels of taurine are sought by the cell (66,67). In rats, taurine reduces oxidative stress caused by diabetes (68,69).…”

Recent advances in amino acid analysis by capillary electromigration methods: June 2015–May 2017

“…Increased ADMA/Arg ratio (due to reduced Arg concentrations) was correlated with COPD presence and severity . These AAs were also studied in plasma from diabetic patients . Hercynine and L‐ergothioneine two metabolites of the histidine have putative antioxidant effect.…”