Taurine: The comeback of a neutraceutical in the prevention of retinal degenerations

Publication date: July 2014 Source:Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, Volume 41 Author(s): Nicolas Froger , Larissa Moutsimilli , Lucia Cadetti , Firas Jammoul , Qing-Ping Wang , Yichao Fan , David Gaucher , Serge G. Rosolen , Nathalie Neveux , Luc Cynober , José-Alain Sahel , Serge Picaud Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the retina. In the 1970s, it was thought to be involved in retinal diseases with photoreceptor degeneration, because cats on a taurine-free diet presented photoreceptor loss. However, with the exception of its introduction into baby milk and parenteral nutrition, taurine has not yet been incorporated into any commercial treatment with the aim of slowing photoreceptor degeneration. Our recent discovery that taurine depletion is involved in the retinal toxicity of the antiepileptic drug vigabatrin has returned taurine to the limelight in the field of neuroprotection. However, although the retinal toxicity of vigabatrin principally involves a deleterious effect on photoreceptors, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are also affected. These findings led us to investigate the possible role of taurine depletion in retinal diseases with RGC degeneration, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The major antioxidant properties of taurine may influence disease processes. In addition, the efficacy of taurine is dependent on its uptake into retinal cells, microvascular endothelial cells and the retinal pigment epithelium. Disturbances of reti...
Source: Progress in Retinal and Eye Research - Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research