Taurine: a potential novel addition to the anti-systemic sclerosis weaponry.
Vascular damage and immunological events leading to generation of fibrogenic fibroblasts are the main components of systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. Superoxide anions play a role in endothelial damage by oxidizing circulating low-density lipoproteins. IL-1 plays a key role in the pathophysiology of SSc by inducing upregulation of adhesion molecules, inflammatory damage of the endothelium and tissue fibrosis. Elevated levels of proTh2 cytokines such as IL-6 in the early stages of SSc lead to enhanced fibroblast collagen production. Taurine, a semi-essential amino acid, is an antioxidant, inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-6 and also inhibits production of TGF-beta, a major fibrogenic cytokine. Therefore, we conclude that taurine may be a novel addition to the treatment armamentarium of this disabling disorder.
Fallahzadeh
Mohammad Kazem
MK
Shiraz Nephrourology Research Center and Dermatology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Namazi
Mohammad Reza
MR
Gupta
Ramesh C
RC
D006801:Humans; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013654:Taurine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013654:Taurine