Oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity after taurine supplementation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Some researchers found decreased levels of plasma taurine in obese subjects and animals, and reduced expression of an important enzyme of taurine synthesis. These evidences, coupled with the metabolic imbalance of obesity and the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of taurine, highlighted the use of taurine as a supplement in obesity treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether taurine supplementation, associated with nutritional counseling, modulates oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and glucose homeostasis in obese women.


METHODS
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted with 16 women with obesity diagnosis and 8 women in the normal weight range. The obese volunteers were matched by age and body mass index and randomly assigned to either the placebo (3 g/day starch flour) or taurine (3 g/day taurine) group. The study lasted 8 weeks, and the experimental protocol included nutritional assessment and determination of plasma sulfur amino acids, insulin, and adiponectin, serum glycemia, and markers of inflammatory response and oxidative stress.


RESULTS
Plasma taurine levels were significantly decreased (41%) in the obese volunteers. Both the placebo and taurine groups showed significant reduction in weight (3%), with no differences between groups. Different from placebo, taurine-supplemented group showed significant increase in plasma taurine (97%) and adiponectin (12%) and significant reduction in the inflammatory marker hs-C-reactive protein (29%) and in the lipid peroxidation marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (20%).


CONCLUSIONS
Eight weeks of taurine supplementation associated with nutritional counseling is able to increase adiponectin levels and to decrease markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in obese women.
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP 14049-900, Brazil, flaviatrosa@yahoo.com.br.
Flávia Troncon
FT
Rosa
Ellen Cristini
EC
Freitas
Rafael
R
Deminice
Alceu Afonso
AA
Jordão
Julio Sérgio
JS
Marchini
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013654:Taurine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015431:Weight Loss
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D013654:Taurine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein