User:Mlimaye
Taurine deficiency creates a vicious circle promoting obesity. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16627576&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum In high-fat diet-induced and/or genetically obese mice, a decrease in the blood taurine concentration was observed. Dietary taurine supplementation prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity with increased resting energy expenditure. Thus, taurine deficiency observed in association with obesity may create a vicious circle promoting obesity. Dietary taurine supplementation interrupts this vicious circle and may prevent obesity.
Probes of the catalytic site of cysteine dioxygenase. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16611641&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum More information on the protein that makes taurine. It discusses various inhibitors and activators of this protein.
Supplementation with N-acetylcysteine and taurine failed to restore glutathione content in liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetics rats but protected from oxidative stress. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15921899&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum Rats were made diabetic and then given taurine and another dietary supplement. The levels of glutathione and enzymes in the liver were measured and taurine was found to reduce oxidative stress, but not to restore pre-diabetic glutathione levels.
Physiological significance of the taurine transporter and taurine biosynthetic enzymes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15630240&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum This article talks about the systems that control the level of taurine in fat cells. Some were found to be upregulated in the presence of taurine and some were found to be down regulated.
Role of the liver in regulation of body cysteine and taurine levels: a brief review [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14992268&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum This is a review of the liver's activity in the degradation of cysteine and the synthesis of taurine. The level of taurine synthesis enzymes rises when more cysteine is available.
Crystal structure of mammalian cysteine dioxygenase: A novel mononuclear iron center for cysteine thiol oxidation [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16611640&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum The crystal structure of the protein that converts cysteine to taurine has been determined.
Taurolidine--a new drug with anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16162968&query_hl=10&itool=pubmed_docsum Taurolidine is a drug derived from taurine that initially appears to have anti-tumor effects. It was originally used as an antibiotic. It also reduces the levels of tumor angiogenesis factors in the body. It also has effects on apoptosis in the glial and neuronal brain cells. Initial studies have had encouraging effects for patients with gastric and nervous system cancers. This doesn't really have to do with obesity but its kind of an interesting use of taurine. This was a review publication.
Taurine supplementation and diabetes mellitus. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16444816&query_hl=15&itool=pubmed_docsum Another review publication, this one on the effect of taurine on diabetes. The review states that the clinical studies done thus far on taurine's effect are too small to have any real significance as yet, but that the interesting results presented warrant further study. Taurine use has prevented type 2 diabetes in rats and it decreases organ degeneration in rats that already have diabetes.
Worldwide epidemic of obesity: hope for Japanese diets [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15649277&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum This article is a review of a large population study of obesity. People who had diets rich in soy and fish, and had high urinary levels of taurine, had on average a lower BMI than those not in this group.
Beneficial effects of taurine on serum lipids in overweight or obese non-diabetic subjects [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15221507&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum 30 overweight college students were given taurine or a placebo in a double blind study. The group who received taurine lowered their triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels. Their body weight also decreased significantly.
Effect of taurine treatment on insulin secretion and action, and on serum lipid levels in overweight men with a genetic predisposition for type II diabetes mellitus [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15054439&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum Men with a high risk of type two diabetes (due to their weight) were administered a small amount of taurine daily (much smaller than in the previous study). It was found to have no effect on their weight or levels of insulin resistance. This negative study presents another perspective on taurine use.
I found a lot of articles that probably do not relate to our topic and a few that do. It would probably be useful to know more about the pathway before deciding what kind of experiment to do, and we probably need to decide which topic to focus on. There are a lot of articles about diabetes and even some in other areas. Taurine is used all over the place, which surprised me. There is not that much about obesity, but we might be able to find more by looking at the references from the first article on this page.
