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==What is Taurine?==

==What is Taurine?==

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a '''naturally occurring sulphonic acid produced in the liver''' as an end product of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|cysteine]] metabolism. Taurine is not incorporated into proteins but found free in animal tissues; the highest concentrations are found in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. Although commonly referred to as an amino acid it lacks a carboxyl group and is not classified as a true amino acid. '''Dogs can synthesise taurine from dietary precursors''' and are typically able produce amounts sufficient to meet daily needs. '''Cats are unable to produce adequate amounts of taurine to meet requirements and pre-formed taurine is required in the diet.'''

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a '''naturally occurring sulphonic acid produced in the liver''' as an end product of [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|cysteine]] metabolism. Taurine is not incorporated into proteins but found free in animal tissues; the highest concentrations are found in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle. Although commonly referred to as an amino acid it lacks a carboxyl group and is not classified as a true amino acid. '''Dogs can synthesise taurine from dietary precursors''' and are typically able produce amounts sufficient to meet daily needs. '''Cats are unable to produce adequate amounts of taurine to meet requirements and pre-formed taurine is required in the diet.'''

==Why is it Important?==

==Why is it Important?==

The importance of taurine is related to its roles in many different organ systems, especially brain and heart. Deficiency results in serious and sometimes irreversible conditions. Therefore it is important to have an understanding of how animals may develop deficiencies and be aware of strategies to avoid or treat deficiencies.  

The importance of taurine is related to its roles in many different organ systems, especially brain and heart. Deficiency results in serious and sometimes irreversible conditions. Therefore it is important to have an understanding of how animals may develop deficiencies and be aware of strategies to avoid or treat deficiencies.  

==Roles in the Body==

==Roles in the Body==

'''Taurine is used in the conjugation of bile acids into bile salts in both dogs and cats'''. Cats only use taurine to form bile salts while dogs are able to conjugation bile acids to either taurine or glycine depending on availability of either amino acid<ref>Rabin J, et al. Dietary influences on bile acid conjugation in the cat. J Nutr 1976;106:1241-1246.</ref><ref>Wildgrube HJ, et al. Naturally occurring conjugated bile acids, measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, in human, dog, and rabbit bile. J Chrom. 1986;353:207-13.</ref>. Cats are unable to switch conjugation to glycine like dogs and other species and have an obligate loss of taurine in faeces. Bile salts are deconjugated in the intestinal lumen by bacteria and the deconjugated bile acids return to the liver via enterohepatic circulation. Taurine is then either absorbed by enterocytes, excreted in faeces, or further utilized by intestinal bacteria.  

'''Taurine is used in the conjugation of bile acids into bile salts in both dogs and cats'''. Cats only use taurine to form bile salts while dogs are able to conjugation bile acids to either taurine or glycine depending on availability of either amino acid<ref>Rabin J, et al. Dietary influences on bile acid conjugation in the cat. J Nutr 1976;106:1241-1246.</ref><ref>Wildgrube HJ, et al. Naturally occurring conjugated bile acids, measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, in human, dog, and rabbit bile. J Chrom. 1986;353:207-13.</ref>. Cats are unable to switch conjugation to glycine like dogs and other species and have an obligate loss of taurine in faeces. Bile salts are deconjugated in the intestinal lumen by bacteria and the deconjugated bile acids return to the liver via enterohepatic circulation. Taurine is then either absorbed by enterocytes, excreted in faeces, or further utilized by intestinal bacteria.  

Taurine also plays a role in normal retinal and myocardial function, osmoregulation, platelet aggregation, modulation of calcium flux within cells, reproduction, and immune response. There are three established clinical syndromes related to taurine deficiency: feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and reproductive failure.  

Taurine also plays a role in normal retinal and myocardial function, osmoregulation, platelet aggregation, modulation of calcium flux within cells, reproduction, and immune response. There are three established clinical syndromes related to taurine deficiency: feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and reproductive failure.  

 

==Consequences of Taurine Deficiency==

==Consequences of Taurine Deficiency==