High-dose taurine aggravates alcohol-induced liver injury, study shows

High-dose taurine worsens alcohol-induced liver injury

Disrupted lipid metabolism: less oxidation, more lipogenesis

Gut dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier function

Consistent with this interpretation, high-dose taurine was associated with intestinal epithelial damage, reduced expression of the tight junction gene Cldn1 and altered claudin-1 localisation. The researchers also found increased bacterial translocation to the liver, shown by higher hepatic 16S rRNA levels and increased Escherichia coli staining. These changes paralleled stronger hepatic inflammatory responses, supporting a model in which high-dose taurine aggravates ALD by disrupting intestinal homeostasis and increasing microbial leakage to the liver.

Bile acid dysregulation adds another layer

Taurine is essential for bile acid conjugation, but excessive taurine intake under alcohol exposure disturbed bile acid-related pathways. High-dose taurine reduced hepatic Baat expression, a key enzyme involved in bile acid conjugation, and altered taurine-conjugated bile acid profiles. In faeces, taurine supplementation increased taurine-conjugated bile acids in alcohol-fed mice and further suppressed ileal Shp expression, suggesting selective disruption of intestinal FXR-associated signalling.

These bile acid changes are important because bile acids are not only digestive molecules, but also metabolic and immunological signalling mediators. Disturbing their composition and intestinal signalling may amplify alcohol-induced metabolic injury and gut-liver crosstalk.

Low-dose taurine shows a protective profile

Implications for supplementation and public health

Overall, Pei and colleagues reveal a dose-dependent paradox in taurine supplementation. Low-dose taurine may support hepatic metabolism, whereas high-dose taurine may worsen alcohol-induced liver injury. This work calls for more careful dose-response studies and for greater caution when translating nutritional supplements into liver disease prevention or treatment.

Source:

First Hospital of Jilin University

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