Caloric restriction increases levels of taurine in the intestine and stimulates taurine uptake by conjugation to glutathione

Abstract

AbstractOur previous study indicated increased levels of taurine-conjugated bile acids in the intestine content of caloric restriction (CR) mice. In the current project, we found increased levels of free taurine and taurine conjugates, including glutathione (GSH)-taurine, in CR compared toad libitumfed animals in the mucosa along the intestine while there was no impact on taurine and its conjugates in the liver. The levels of free GSH were decreased in the intestine of CR compared toad libitumfed mice. However, the levels of oxidized GSH were not affected and were complemented by the lack of changes in the antioxidative parameters. Glutathione-S transferases (GST) enzymatic activity was increased as was the expression of GST genes along the GI tract of CR mice. In CR intestine addition of GSH to taurine solution enhanced taurine uptake. Accordingly, the expression of taurine transporter (TauT) was increased in the ileum of CR mice.