Table 2.

Studies Summarizing the Effects of Taurine and the Mechanisms Underlying Those Effects

Effect	Underlying mechanism
Antioxidative effects	Upregulation of cellular antioxidant defense system by enhancement of anti-oxidative enzymes, such as hepatic thioredoxin reductase activity [57], superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity [58]. Inhibition of mitochondrial stress by disruption of events causing intracellular Ca2+ overload.
Anti-inflammatory effects	Scavenging of hypochlorous acid and inhibition of the production of nitric oxide and TNF-α [59].
Energy metabolism	Reduction of the NADH/NAD+ ratio during glycolysis, thus activating complex I and NADH-sensitive enzymes [60].
Pancreatic β-cell function	Taurine inactivates ATP-sensitive K+ channels, causing intracellular Ca2+ overload that results in exocytosis of insulin molecules, thereby enhancing insulin secretion and availability [61].

TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; NADH/NAD, reduced and oxidized forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; ATP, adenosine triphosphate.