Modulation by taurine of human arterial stiffness and wave reflection

Abstract

Effects of taurine (1000-2000 mg) on hemodynamic function and the arterial pulse wave were investigated for 102 healthy medical and paramedical students. The vascular parameters were generally dependent on aging, with the arterial stiffness parameters, such as baPWV, ABI and AI, are considered the indicators of "vascular aging". Acute administration of taurine decreased BP and HR and attenuated the stiffness parameters derived from the pulse waveform. Thus, taurine can cause significant changes in the cardiovascular system and the arterial pulse wave. However, approximately 5% of the students were non-responders. This may be related to the notion that taurine would be expected to exert greater effects on the vascular functions of unhealthy individuals. Based our previous experiments, therefore, taurine plays a role in the regulation of the cardiac and vascular function. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.