Taurine in Nutrition and Neurology

ISBN-13: 9781475704044 / Angielski / Miękka / 2012 / 552 str.

Ryan J. Huxtable

Opis

There is increasing recognition of the biological importance of taurine. Disturbances in taurine metabolism are seen in dysfunction- al states as diverse as epilepsy, cardiomyopathy, Friedreich's ataxia and congestive heart failure, which combined with the antiepi1eptic and cardiotonic actions of taurine underscore the emerging clinical importance of this fascinating substance. This is the third book to appear on taurine since 1976. The last book (Taurine and Neuro1oeica1 Disorders, Raven Press, 1978) emphasized the involvement of taurine in central nervous system phenomena. These actions are further explored in this volume. In addition, nutritional aspects of taurine, particularly as these re- late to development, have been increasingly recognized to be im- portant parts of the taurine story. The marked emphasis placed on nutrition by a number of contributors to this volume is recognition of the meteoritic growth of this area. Are the multitudinous actions of taurine differential expres- sions of a universal mechanism? There is surprising unity of opinion expressed by the scientists contributing to this volume, despite their differences in viewpoint and background, as the reader, tanta- lized we hope by this remark, will discover.

Spis treści

I Physicochemical Properties of Taurine: Introduction.- Coordination and Binding of Taurine as Determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements on 13C-Labeled Taurine.- II Taurine in Nutrition and Development: Introduction.- Sources and Turnover Rates of Taurine in Newborn, Weanling, and Mature Rats.- Studies on the Renal Handling of Taurine: Changes During Maturation and After Altered Dietary Intake.- Taurine and Tapetum Structure.- Taurine Deficiency: A Rationale for Taurine Depletion.- Taurine Nutrition in Man.- III Transport and Metabolism of Taurine: Introduction.- Hypotaurine Aminotransferase.- Hypotaurine Uptake in Mouse Brain Slices.- The Sulfur-Containing Amino Acid Pathway in Normal and Malignant Cell Growth.- Taurine Transport by Reconstituted Membrane Vesicles.- IV Taurine and the Heart: Introduction.- Electrophysiological Effects of Taurine in Cardiac Purkinje Fibers and Myocardial Taurine Loss during Ischemia. Is There a Relationship?.- Observations on the Action of Taurine at Arterial and Cardiac Levels.- Elevated Blood Taurine Levels After Myocardial Infarction or Cardiovascular Surgery: Is There any Significance?.- V The Neurochemistry of Taurine: Introduction.- Interaction of Taurine with Its Precursor, Cysteine Sulfinic Acid, in the Central , Nervous System.- Differential Effects of Light and Dark Adaptations on Function and Metabolism of Retinal Taurine and ?-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA).- Changed Taurine-Glutamic Acid Content and Altered Nervous Tissue Cytoarchitecture.- Taurine, Cysteinesulfinic Acid Decarboxylase and Glutamic Acid in Brain.- VI The Neuropharmacology of Taurine: Introduction.- The Role of Taurine in Nervous Tissue, Its Effects on Ionic Fluxes.- Taurine Receptors in CNS Membranes: Binding Studies.- Specific Binding of Taurine in Central Nervous System.- Central Neuropharmacology of D-Ala2-Met-Enkephalinamide and its Interactions with Taurine in Rats.- Central Effects of Taurine: Antagonistic Effects on Central Actions of Angiotensin.- Taurine and Thermoregulation: Behavioral and Cellular Studies.- Influence of Centrally Administered Taurine on Thermoregulation and Fever.- Taurine and Friedreich’s Ataxia: An Update.- Discussions on Taurine: Introduction.- Session I: How are Tissue Taurine Concentrations Regulated?.- Session II: Are the Pharmacological Actions of Taurine Related to its Physiological Functions?.- Session III: What Does Taurine Do?.- Session IV: Do Taurine and Its Analogs or Cogeners Have Actions in Common?.- Session V: Is Taurine Essential in Development?.- Session VI: Does Taurine Have Clinical Significance?.- List of Participants.