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Intestinal taurine transport: a review
L O'Flaherty1, P P Stapleton, H P Redmond
1Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|December 13, 1997
Summary
Dietary taurine absorption in the gut is vital for maintaining taurine balance, especially when metabolism is compromised. Research highlights well-documented intestinal taurine transport mechanisms, but regulation remains largely unknown.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Nutritional Science
- Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Background:
- Intestinal absorption of dietary taurine is a key factor in maintaining taurine homeostasis.
- This process is particularly critical in conditions where taurine metabolism is impaired.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on taurine transport within the intestine.
- To summarize current knowledge regarding the function of the enterocyte taurine transport protein.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature search of MedLine and reference lists from relevant articles published in the last 10 years.
- Included human and animal studies focusing on intestinal taurine uptake by enterocytes.
Main Results:
- Intestinal taurine transport is well-documented across various animal models, with extensive information on its mechanistic and kinetic aspects.
- Significant gaps exist in understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing this transport system.
Conclusions:
- While intestinal taurine transport is well-characterized, its regulation is poorly understood.
- A newly developed cell culture model offers a promising avenue for future research into the regulation of gut taurine uptake.