Taurine decreases fecal fatty acid and sterol excretion in cystic fibrosis. A randomized double-blind trial.
Patients with cystic fibrosis may still have a significant degree of steatorrhea despite adequate pancreatic enzyme supplementation. Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid that possibly improves the micellar phase of fat digestion. Thirteen children with cystic fibrosis and a significant degree of steatorrhea (> 13 g/d) were enrolled in a randomized double-blind crossover study of taurine (30 mg/kg per day) in contrast to placebo for two successive 4-month periods. No difference was noted in height and weight velocity, lung function, vitamin A level, and essential fatty acid status. Twelve of the 13 patients showed a decrease in fecal fatty acid excretion (26.5 +/- 2.6 g/24 h vs 15.4 +/- 2.5 g/24 h), affecting mainly saturates and monounsaturates, and a decrease in total sterol excretion (1492.6 +/- 303 mg/24 h vs 1211.7 +/- 213.8 mg/24 h) while ingesting taurine. Taurine may be a useful adjunct in patients with cystic fibrosis and severe steatorrhea.
Smith
L J
LJ
Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Ste-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Lacaille
F
F
Lepage
G
G
Ronco
N
N
Lamarre
A
A
Roy
C C
CC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013261:Sterols / Q000032:analysis; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood
D005227:Fatty Acids; D013261:Sterols; D014801:Vitamin A; D013654:Taurine