The Disease-Modifying Role of Taurine and Its Therapeutic Potential in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2022:1370:3-21. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-93337-1_1.

Abstract

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that is implicated in numerous physiological functions, including the regulation of oxidative stress, which plays an important role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), together with other pathophysiological processes. The recent finding of decreased serum taurine levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, in tandem with its potential modulatory role in COVID-19 due to its antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular-related effects, provides a rationale for considering taurine as a beneficial supplement in patients suffering from COVID-19. Here, we reviewed the potential disease-modifying effects of taurine and combined these with the current knowledge on COVID-19 to clarify the potential role of taurine in this respiratory disease.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); Taurine; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Taurine / pharmacology
  • Taurine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Taurine