Age influence on intestinal taurine transport in mice

Taurine plays a role in neurologic development and neuromuscular function. The high need for taurine during development, and the low capacity for endogenous biosynthesis make its intestinal handling very important. In this in vitro study, we investigated the uptake of taurine by intestinal strips obtained from adult, 10-day and 20-day-old mice. Intestinal strips from adult, 10-day and 20-day-old mice accumulated taurine against a concentration gradient. Moreover, the capacity of the intestinal cells to concentrate taurine decreased with age. A major component of the transport process was carrier-mediated and Na-dependent. Analysis of the kinetics of taurine uptake revealed that Vmax decreased as the animals grow older without a significant change in apparent Kt. It is concluded that as mice grow older their intestinal capacity to absorb taurine decreases.