The role of taurine in cellular redox-homeostasis, muscle development and function

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Taurine, a non-proteinogenic ß-aminosulfonic acid, is primarily sourced from fish and seafood. It plays a crucial role in interacting with ion channels, stabilizing membranes, and regulating cell volume, which is why it is found in high concentrations in excitable tissues like the retina, neurons, and muscles. Deficiencies in taurine can lead to retinal degeneration, cardiomyopathy, and skeletal muscle dysfunction, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This dissertation investigates taurine's cytoprotective effects, particularly regarding cellular redox homeostasis, myogenesis, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In vitro studies using cultured hepatocytes (HepG2) and myotubes (C2C12) showed that taurine incubation significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and decreased cellular glutathione (GSH) levels, indicating a diminished GSH synthesis rate. Additionally, mRNA levels of anti-oxidative enzymes were downregulated, suggesting a reduced need for antioxidant defense due to taurine. In myotubes, taurine enhanced myoglobin levels and markers for mitochondrial biogenesis without altering ATP levels. In vivo studies with Atlantic salmon on varying taurine diets revealed minimal effects on taurine metabolism and tissue concentrations, with no significant impact on markers of myogenic differentiation or energy metabolism. Thus, the beneficial effects of taurine observed in vitro were not replicated in vivo, i