Taurine is known to have
antihypertensive and
lipid-lowering effects in some experimental models and patients. On the other hand, intracellular free
calcium and
magnesium play important roles in regulating the tonus of blood vessels and
insulin sensitivity. We examined the effect of oral
taurine supplementation on blood pressure, serum metabolic parameters, and platelet cytosolic free
calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and
magnesium ([Mg(2+)](i)) concentration in
fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats. Systolic blood pressure and platelet [Ca(2+)](i) were significantly higher in rats fed a 60%
fructose diet. Oral
taurine supplementation (1% in
drinking water) completely prevented the elevation of blood pressure and an increase in platelet [Ca(2+)](i), but exacerbated
hyperinsulinemia,
hypertriglyceridemia, and a decrease in platelet [Mg(2+)](i). In conclusion,
taurine may ameliorate
fructose-induced
hypertension in rats by preventing an increase in intracellular free
calcium concentration. The blood pressure-lowering effect of
taurine appeared to be independent from its effect on
glucose and lipid metabolism in this model.