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Taurine & Gallstones

May 18, 2011 | By Henry Pitot

Taurine is an essential amino acid that is involved in various physiological functions such as bile acid conjugation and cell membrane stabilization. It is also sold as a dietary supplement. There is evidence that taurine supplements prevent the formation of gallstones in some individuals. As with any therapy, you should speak with your doctor before using taurine supplements.

Bile Acid

Investigators from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center examined the inhibitory effect of taurine on gallstone formation. The results, published in the journal "Nutrition Research" in June 2004, showed that taurine enhances the release of the enzyme cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase, which causes the production of bile acid by the liver. The bile acid is a strong solution that dissolves the cholesterol from which most gallstones are made, explains Julius D. Militante and John. B. Lombardini, researchers of this study.

Biliary Cholesterol

Taurine has an active role in the production of bile acids, which are important determinants of biliary cholesterol solubility. If the liquid bile contains too much cholesterol, it can harden into gallstones. However, investigators at the Lakeside Veteran's Administration Medical Center presented research results that seem to be contrary to the current view. Their findings indicate taurine deficiency plays no role in the pathogenesis of gallstones in animal models. The results from these experiments further indicate that a deficiency in methionine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, is mainly responsible for the pathogenesis of canine gallbladder stones.

Gallstone Formation

A suggestion of a protective effect of dietary taurine against gallstone formation was also reported in "The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology" in January 1986. The research, led by Y. Yamanaka, a surgeon at the Nippon Medical School in Japan, suggests that taurine exerts a possible modulatory effect on gallstone formation by increasing bile acid synthesis and reducing cholesterol secretion into the bile. The formation of bile is essential for the dissolution of excess cholesterol in the bile, which promotes the development of gallstones.

Hypocholesterolemic Effect

Biochemical studies conducted by researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan demonstrated the cholesterol-lowering-property of taurine in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Excess biliary cholesterol precipitates in the bile as solid crystals, known as cholesterol stones. The cholesterol-lowering actions of taurine are primarily due to its ability to suppress triglyceride production by the liver, explain W. Chen and colleagues, the researchers who conducted this experiment.

References

Article reviewed by MER Last updated on: May 18, 2011

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