Taurine And The Pineal Gland

High_Prob

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Abstract
Taurine is highly concentrated in the pineal gland, where it occurs at 20–60 mM (Crabai et al., 1974; Green et al., 1962; Guidotti et al., 1972; La Bella et al., 1968; Vellan et al., 1970). This is higher than the concentration of taurine in any other body tissue, except the neurohypohysis. It is also relatively abundant compared to other amino acids in the pineal gland, comprising 30% of the free amino acids of the adult gland (Nir et al., 1974). In view of these observations, it is surprising that little is known about the role of taurine in this tissue.



Function and Regulation of Taurine in the Pineal Gland G. H. T. Wheler D. C. Klein

INTRODUCTION: TAURINE IN THE PINEAL GLAND

Taurine is highly concentrated in the pineal gland, where it occurs at 20-60 mM (Crabai et al., 1974; Green et al., 1962; Guidotti et al., 1972; La Bella et al., 1968; Vellan et al., 1970). This is higher than the concentration of taurine in any other body tissue, except the neurohypohysis. It is also relatively abundant compared to other amino acids in the pineal gland, comprising 30% of the free amino acids of the adult gland (Nir et al., 1974). In view of these observations, it is surprising that little is known about the role of taurine in this tissue.

Location of Taurine in the Pineal Gland

Some recent reports have suggested that taurine is located in nerve endings in the brain (De Belleroche and Bradford, 1973; Agrawal et al., 1971) and may playa role there as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator (Davison and Kaczmarek, 1971; Bradford et al., 1976; Mandel and Pasantes-Morales, 1978; Wheler et al., 1979b). In the rat pineal gland, however, it appears not to be located in nerve terminals innervating the pineal gland, but in pinealocytes (Wheler et al., 1979a). 107 108 WHELER AND KLEIN

Uptake of Taurine into Pinealocytes

An uptake system for taurine has been found in the pineal gland (Krusz et aI., 1977; Grosso et aI., 1978). It appears to be comprised of both low (Km = 2 mM) and high (Km=5.7 JLM) affinity components, and is dependent upon sodium. The in vitro uptake of taurine from medium containing physiological concentrations (0.2 mM) of the amino acid is blocked by i1-alanine, and it appears to have the characteristics of a i1-amino acid transport system. Interestingly, it has recently been found that the pineal taurine can be reduced in vivo by 75% of control values within a l4-day period by the inclusion of i1-alanine (3%) in the drinking water (Kocsis et aI., 1979).

Daily Rhythm in Pineal Taurine

One of the outstanding characteristics of the physiology and biochemistry of the pineal gland is a strong circadian pattern of activity. In all species there is an increase in melatonin production at night, which is the result of adrenergic-cyclic-AMP induction of one of the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes, N-acetyltransferase (Fig. 10.1) (Klein, 1974). In view of this it is interesting that a daily rhythm in pineal taurine has been reported (Leonard et aI., 1975; Grosso et aI., 1978). Taurine levels increase gradually from a low (approx. 14 mM) at the beginning of the dark period to a high (approx. 24 mM) during the middle of the light period.

REGULATION OF TAURINE RELEASE

In a series of studies, we have recently sought to determine if the release of taurine from the pineal gland is altered when the gland is stimulated by the same mechanism that stimulates melatonin production (Wheler and Klein, 1979a). We used a well-described pineal gland culture system (Wheler et ai, 1979a). To study taurine release, pineal glands were first prelabeled in organ culture for 24 hr with 0.25 mM ['4C]taurine (specific activity, 5.04 Ci/mol). This dose was chosen as it is similar to the reported plasma concentration of taurine. The glands were then incubated for a second 24-hr period in culture medium without any taurine. Subsequently, glands, which contained about 60 nCi of ['4C]taurine, were transferred into culture vessels containing media and compounds of interest for a 0-4-hr test period. ['4C]Taurine was measured by conventional techniques. N-Acetyltransferase activity was measured to provide an index of adrenergic activation of the pineal cells.
 

Waynish

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I guess this would imply Taurine is best not taken before bed? I don't have any experience of downsides taking it at any times, however.
 

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