Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
Authors
Abstract

Aging is associated with changes in circulating levels of various molecules, some of which remain undefined. We find that concentrations of circulating taurine decline with aging in mice, monkeys, and humans. A reversal of this decline through taurine supplementation increased the health span (the period of healthy living) and life span in mice and health span in monkeys. Mechanistically, taurine reduced cellular senescence, protected against telomerase deficiency, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased DNA damage, and attenuated inflammaging. In humans, lower taurine concentrations correlated with several age-related diseases and taurine concentrations increased after acute endurance exercise. Thus, taurine deficiency may be a driver of aging because its reversal increases health span in worms, rodents, and primates and life span in worms and rodents. Clinical trials in humans seem warranted to test whether taurine deficiency might drive aging in humans.

Year of Publication
2023
Journal
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Volume
380
Issue
6649
Pages
eabn9257
Date Published
06/2023
ISSN
1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.abn9257
PubMed ID
37289866
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