title: Taurine supplementation, fat absorption, and growth in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: The effect of taurine supplementation (30 to 40 mg/kg/24 hr) on fat absorption and related measurements was examined in 21 preadolescent children with cystic fibrosis (CF) using a 12-month double-blind crossover technique. The mean coefficient of fat absorption was unchanged by taurine both in the unselected study group (without taurine, mean +/- SD 84.0% +/- 11.9%; with taurine, 84.4% +/- 11.8%, n = 20) and in a subgroup of seven children with moderately severe fat malabsorption (without taurine, 75.6% +/- 15.6%; with taurine, 74.8% +/- 14.6%). The mean fecal split fat/total fat ratio, which generally reflects bile acid-related fat malabsorption, was also unchanged. Linoleic and arachidonic acid deficiencies noted in plasma before supplementation showed no significant improvement with taurine supplementation. Likewise, plasma/serum vitamin A, E, and D levels were unchanged. Standard scores for height and weight were not affected significantly. This study does not support the use of taurine supplementation in the nutritional management of CF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, Adelaide Children's Hospital, South Australia.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D013654:Taurine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D014815:Vitamins; D013654:Taurine; D005998:Glycine