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This article is part of the supplement: Taurine – a wonder molecule. Proceedings of the 17th International Taurine Conference
Research
Taurine and the renal system
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and the Children’s Foundation Research Center at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, 50 N. Dunlap, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103, USA
Journal of Biomedical Science 2010, 17(Suppl 1):S4 doi:10.1186/1423-0127-17-S1-S4
Published: 24 August 2010Abstract
Taurine participates in a number of different physiologic and biologic processes in the kidney, often reflected by urinary excretion patterns. The kidney is key to aspects of taurine body pool size and homeostasis. This review will examine the renal-taurine interactions relative to ion reabsorption; renal blood flow and renal vascular endothelial function; antioxidant properties, especially in the glomerulus; and the role of taurine in ischemia and reperfusion injury. In addition, taurine plays a role in the renal cell cycle and apoptosis, and functions as an osmolyte during the stress response. The role of the kidney in adaptation to variations in dietary taurine intake and the regulation of taurine body pool size are described. Finally, the protective function of taurine against several kidney diseases is reviewed.
