The molecular targets of taurine confer anti-hyperlipidemic effects
Yuanyuan Dong Life Sciences Volume 278, 1 August 2021, 119579
Highlights
• taurine is effective in adjusting lipid metabolism abnormalities, but the effect is mild and hard to reverse the disease.
• the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of taurine refer to anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, regulation and resistance of abnormal lipid metabolism, intestinal flora, lipid autophagy and metabolic reprogramming.
• the effect of taurine regulation of blood lipid metabolism is mild and hard to reverse disease-related abnormal lipid metabolism.
Hyperlipidemia, an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, is regarded as a lipid metabolism disorder associated with elevated plasma triglyceride and/or cholesterol. Genetic factors and unhealthy lifestyles, such as excess caloric intake and physical inactivity, can result in hyperlipidemia. Taurine, a sulfur-containing non-essential amino acid, is abundant in marine foods and has been associated with wide-ranging beneficial physiological effects, with special reference to regulating aberrant lipid metabolism. Its anti-hyperlipidemic mechanism is complex, which is related to many enzymes in the process of fat anabolism and catabolism (e.g., HMGCR, CYP7A1, LDLR, FXR, FAS and ACC). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecular targets, lipid autophagy, metabolic reprogramming and gut microbiota will also be reviewed.