Taurine enhances the anorexigenic effects of insulin in the hypothalamus of rats

Abstract

Taurine is known to modulate a number of metabolic parameters such as insulin secretion and action and blood cholesterol levels. Recent data have suggested that taurine can also reduce body adiposity in C. elegans and in rodents. Since body adiposity is mostly regulated by insulin-responsive hypothalamic neurons involved in the control of feeding and thermogenesis, we hypothesized that some of the activity of taurine in the control of body fat would be exerted through a direct action in the hypothalamus. Here, we show that the intracerebroventricular injection of an acute dose of taurine reduces food intake and locomotor activity, and activates signal transduction through the Akt/FOXO1, JAK2/STAT3 and mTOR/AMPK/ACC signaling pathways. These effects are accompanied by the modulation of expression of NPY. In addition, taurine can enhance the anorexigenic action of insulin. Thus, the aminoacid, taurine, exerts a potent anorexigenic action in the hypothalamus and enhances the effect of insulin on the control of food intake.