The molecular targets of taurine confer anti-hyperlipidemic effects

Hyperlipidemia, an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, is regarded as a lipid metabolism disorder associated with elevated plasma triglyceride and/or cholesterol. Genetic factors and unhealthy lifestyles, such as excess caloric intake and physical inactivity, can result in hyperlipidemia. Taurine, a sulfur-containing nonessential amino acid, is abundant in marine foods and has been associated with wide-ranging beneficial physiological effects, with special reference to regulating aberrant lipid metabolism. Its anti-hyperlipidemic mechanism is complex, which is related to many enzymes in the process of fat anabolism and catabolism (e.g., HMGCR, CYP7A1, LDLR, FXR, FAS and ACC). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecular targets, lipid autophagy, metabolic reprogramming and gut microbiota will also be reviewed.

高脂血症是动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素，被视为一种与血浆甘油三酯和/或胆固醇升高相关的脂质代谢紊乱。遗传因素以及不健康的生活方式，如热量摄入过多和缺乏身体活动，都可能导致高脂血症。牛磺酸是一种含硫的非必需氨基酸，在海洋食物中含量丰富，具有广泛的有益生理作用，尤其在调节异常脂质代谢方面。其降血脂机制复杂，与脂肪合成代谢和分解代谢过程中的许多酶（如HMG - CoA还原酶、胆固醇7α - 羟化酶、低密度脂蛋白受体、法尼醇X受体、脂肪酸合酶和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶）有关。还将对抗炎和抗氧化分子靶点、脂质自噬、代谢重编程以及肠道微生物群进行综述。