Taurine: the comeback of a neutraceutical in the prevention of retinal degenerations.
Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the retina. In the 1970s, it was thought to be involved in retinal diseases with photoreceptor degeneration, because cats on a taurine-free diet presented photoreceptor loss. However, with the exception of its introduction into baby milk and parenteral nutrition, taurine has not yet been incorporated into any commercial treatment with the aim of slowing photoreceptor degeneration. Our recent discovery that taurine depletion is involved in the retinal toxicity of the antiepileptic drug vigabatrin has returned taurine to the limelight in the field of neuroprotection. However, although the retinal toxicity of vigabatrin principally involves a deleterious effect on photoreceptors, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are also affected. These findings led us to investigate the possible role of taurine depletion in retinal diseases with RGC degeneration, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The major antioxidant properties of taurine may influence disease processes. In addition, the efficacy of taurine is dependent on its uptake into retinal cells, microvascular endothelial cells and the retinal pigment epithelium. Disturbances of retinal vascular perfusion in these retinal diseases may therefore affect the retinal uptake of taurine, resulting in local depletion. The low plasma taurine concentrations observed in diabetic patients may further enhance such local decreases in taurine concentration. We here review the evidence for a role of taurine in retinal ganglion cell survival and studies suggesting that this compound may be involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. Along with other antioxidant molecules, taurine should therefore be seriously reconsidered as a potential treatment for such retinal diseases.
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France. Electronic address: nicolas.froger@inserm.fr.
Nicolas
N
Froger
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Larissa
L
Moutsimilli
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Lucia
L
Cadetti
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Firas
F
Jammoul
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Qing-Ping
QP
Wang
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Yichao
Y
Fan
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France; Nouvel hôpital civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg and Laboratoire de Bactériologie (EA-7290), Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France.
David
D
Gaucher
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
Serge G
SG
Rosolen
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France; Clinical Chemistry, Hôtel-Dieu-Cochin Hospitals, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Nathalie
N
Neveux
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France; Clinical Chemistry, Hôtel-Dieu-Cochin Hospitals, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Luc
L
Cynober
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts, Paris, France; Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London, UK; Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France; French Academy of Sciences, Paris, France.
José-Alain
JA
Sahel
INSERM, U968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris-6), UMR S 968, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7210, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France; Fondation Ophtalmologique Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France. Electronic address: serge.picaud@inserm.fr.
Serge
S
Picaud
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013654:Taurine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013654:Taurine
Diabetic retinopathy; Glaucoma; Neuroprotection; Nutrition; Retinal degeneration; Retinal ganglion cells; Retinitis pigmentosa; Taurine; Taurine transporter