牛磺酸防治糖尿病的研究进展

Progress on Preventive and Curative Effects of Taurine on Diabetes

牛磺酸是人和动物机体内不可缺少的氨基酸,在许多生物进程中起着非常重要的作用。牛磺酸可以在细胞内进行生物合成或者通过细胞膜上牛磺酸转运体将血浆中的牛磺酸转运至细胞内,但是在病理条件下,组织和血浆中牛磺酸水平会发生变化。研究表明,糖尿病患者体内牛磺酸水平显著降低,补充牛磺酸可降低糖尿病患者血糖并可使其浓度恢复到正常水平。牛磺酸的降血糖机理包括刺激胰岛素释放、增加靶器官摄取葡萄糖、抗氧化性及抗炎活性。此外,牛磺酸对胰岛细胞具有保护作用,还可以通过多种机制减少或减轻糖尿病及其并发症的发生与发展。

Taurine, a semi-essential amino acid, exerts many biological functions in humans and animals. Taurine could either be synthesized inside the cells or be transported into cells from plasma by taurine transporter （TAUT） which presents on the membrane. But under pathological conditions, taurine concentrations in the tissue as well as plasma both decrease significantly. It has been shown that taurine levels decreased obviously in diabetic patients,whereas taurine administration could lower blood glucose to normal levels. The mechanism of taurine on diabetes includes.taurine could induce insulin release,increase glucose intake by organs,exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. What＇s more, taurine has protective effects on islet cells and could relieve and reverse diabetes.