title: [Biological and nutritional role of taurine and its derivatives on cellular and organic physiology].
abstract: Several aspects about the biological role of taurine and its derivatives has been described in this work, especially in relation to humans. Some aspects related to the structure and function of the molecule in respect to its capacity as an osmoregulator and as an antioxidant are also analyzed. Moreover, the distribution changes on the biosynthesis phenomenon in some development stages as well as changes at the transport level, especially in some tissues where the concentration is increased several times with respect to plasmatic concentrations, are discussed. Some evidences exist as to the possibilities that taurine may be considered as a conditionally essential nutrient, particularly in some cases where it has been demonstrated that taurine and its derivatives have certain clinical and nutritional implications.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Cañas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013654:Taurine
vernacular_title: Rol biológico y nutricional de la taurina y sus derivados en la fisiología orgánica y celular.