Taurine and Metabolic Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

ABSTRACT

Taurine (Tau) is a sulfur‐containing amino acid prevalent in animal tissues and primarily acquired through dietary sources. Although previously categorized as a conditionally essential amino acid, its significant role in regulating redox balance, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, and metabolic homeostasis has garnered increasing recognition. Unlike focusing on a single disease, this article provides a comprehensive and up‐to‐date overview of the chemical properties, biological functions and supplementary safety of taurine, and particularly clarifies the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of taurine in metabolism‐related diseases such as diabetes and its complications, obesity, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, tumors, and aging, as well as metabolic disorder‐related ocular and brain injury. Available evidence suggests that taurine acts not only through antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic effects, but may also be involved in epigenetic regulation, bile acid–mediated lipid metabolism, and inter‐organ interactions (e.g., gut‐liver axis). While preclinical studies have demonstrated promising therapeutic potential, its clinical translation is currently hindered by a paucity of population‐based evidence, ill‐defined dose‐response relationships (e.g., nonlinear characteristics in specific diseases), and its paradoxical role within specific tumor microenvironments. This article aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference for the in‐depth research and potential clinical application of taurine in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.