Taurine is considered a non-essential amino acid because it is synthesized by most mammals. However, dietary intake of taurine may be necessary to achieve the physiological levels required for the development, maintenance, and function of certain tissues. Taurine may be especially important for the retina. The concentration of taurine in the retina is higher than that in any other tissue in the body and taurine deficiency causes retinal oxidative stress, apoptosis, and degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells. Low plasma taurine levels may also underlie retinal degeneration in humans and therefore, taurine administration could exert retinal neuroprotective effects. Taurine has antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, and calcium homeostasis-regulatory properties. This review summarizes the role of taurine in retinal health and disease, where it appears that taurine may be a promising nutraceutical.
Keywords: amino acid; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; gamma-aminobutyric acid; nutraceutical; photoreceptor degeneration; retina; retinitis pigmentosa; taurine.