Abstract
Taurine is present in relatively high (mM) concentrations in mammalian tissues, including the brain. Despite extensive studies of its synthesis, release in response to nerve stimulation and possible neuronal or extraneuronal uptake there is still no consensus about its functions (9,8,12). It has variously been designated as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, a modulator of calcium fluxes, and also as an osmoregulator or membrane stabilizer and an antioxidant. These effects may, at least in some cases, be interlinked. Thus, for example, the “neuroprotective” effects of taurine may be related to the osmoregulatory, antioxidant and calcium ion modulating functions of taurine.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Barkai, A.I., and Meltzer, H.L., 1982, Regulation of calcium entry into the extracellular environment of the rat brain, J. Neurosci. 2:1322–1328.
Barkai, A.I., Budek, M., Brown, D.L., and Fieve, R.R., 1978, Application of an improved cerebroventricular perfusion technique in the rabbit: Effect of pentobarbital or haloperidol on monoamine metabolites and proteins in the perfusate, Neuropharmacology 17:409–414.
Cardenas, H.L., and Ross, D.H., 1975, Morphine induced calcium depletion in discrete regions of rat brain, J. Neurochem. 24:487–493.
Della Corte L., Bianchi, L., Federico, S., and Michelassi, S., 1991, In vivo HPLC estimation of extracellular aspartate, glutamate, taurine and GABA in rat striatum: Improved methodology, Eur. J. Neurosci. suppl. 4, p. 151.
Dinarello, C.A., and Bernheim, H.A., 1981, Ability of human leucocyte pyrogen to stimulate brain prostaglandin synthesis in vitro, J.Neurochem. 37: 702–708.
Frosini, M., Gorelli, B., Matteini, M., Palmi, M., Valoti, M., and Sgaragli, G.P., 1993, HPLC determination of cation levels in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of conscious rabbits, J. Pharmacol. Toxicol. Meth. 29: 99–104.
Graziani, L.J., Kaplan, R.K., Escriva, A., and Katzman, R., 1967, Calcium flux into cerebrospinal fluid during ventricular and ventriculocisternal perfusion, Am. J. Physiol. 213:629–636.
Huxtable, R.J., 1989, Taurine in the central nervous system and the mammalian actions of taurine, Prog. Neurobiol. 32:471–533.
Huxtable, R.J., 1992, Physiological actions of taurine, Physiol. Rev. 72:101–159.
Katzman, R., and Pappius, H.M., 1973, “Brain Electrolytes and Fluid Metabolism”, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.
Katzman, R., Graziani, L., and Ginsberg, S., 1968, Cation exchange in blood, brain and cerebrospinal fluid, in: “Brain Barrier Systems”, Lajhta, A., and Ford, D.H., eds., Elsevier, New York, pp. 283–296.
Lombardini, J.B., 1991, Taurine and retinal function, Brain Res. 616:471–533.
Milton, A.S., 1982, Prostaglandins in fever and the role of action of antipyretic drugs, in: “Pyretics and Antipyretics. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology”, Milton, A.S., ed., Springer Verlag, Berlin, pp. 257–303.
Myers, R.D., 1980, Hypothalamic control of thermoregulation: Neurochemical mechanism, in: “Handbook of the Hypothalamus”, Morgane, P., and Panksepp, J., eds., Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 83–210.
Myers, R.D., and Veale, W.L., 1970, Body temperature: Possible ionic mechanism in the hypothalamus controlling the set-point, Science, 170: 95–97.
Palmi, M., Frosini, M., and Sgaragli, G.P, 1992, Calcium changes in rabbit cerebrospinal fluid during endotoxin, IL-1, and prostaglandin fever, Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 43:1253–1262.
Sgaragli, G.P., and Palmi, M., 1985, The role and mechanisms of action of taurine in mammalian thermoregulation, in: “Taurine: Biological Actions and Clinical Perspectives”, Oja, S.S., Ahtee, L., Kontro, P., and Paasonen, M.K., eds., Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York, pp. 343–357.
Watanabe, H.K., Ho, I.K., and Hoskins, B., 1987, Effects of cold stress on brain regional calcium content in rats and mice, Brain. Res. Bull. 19:407–409.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sgaragli, G., Frosini, M., Palmi, M., Bianchi, L., Corte, L.D. (1994). Calcium and Taurine Interaction in Mammalian Brain Metabolism. In: Huxtable, R.J., Michalk, D. (eds) Taurine in Health and Disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 359. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1471-2_30
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1471-2_30
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-1473-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-1471-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive