Taurine prevention of calcium paradox-related damage in cardiac muscle. Its regulatory action on intracellular cation contents.

The present study was designed to investigate in chick heart whether oral pretreatment with taurine or taurine added directly to the perfusate has any effect upon calcium paradox-induced heart failure. In both protocols, taurine significantly reduced the mechanical dysfunction resulting from the calcium paradox. Taurine pretreatment partially inhibited the excess accumulation of calcium in the myocardium that occurs upon calcium repletion, and microscopy revealed almost normal structure. This protective effect of taurine was accompanied by (a) reduction of the gain of sodium content that occurs during calcium depletion, and (b) reduction of the late gain in calcium that occurs during calcium repletion. It is proposed that taurine plays a role in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and membrane stabilization.