taurine

# Introduction **Taurine** is a nutrient-rich amino sulfonic acid found in high concentrations in the retina and other neural tissues. In fact, taurine levels in the retina are higher than in any other body tissue, and its depletion causes retinal cell damage ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10581579/#:~:text=certain%20tissues,taurine%20may%20be%20a%20promising)). Adequate taurine is known to be essential for retinal neurons, especially the photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). RGC degeneration underlies vision loss in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies. Preclinical research now suggests that taurine can help maintain RGC health. This article reviews how taurine regulates cell volume and calcium to protect RGCs, the evidence from laboratory models that taurine promotes RGC survival, and the limited clinical data hinting at vision benefits. We also discuss how diet and aging affect taurine levels, related health outcomes, and what is known about safe taurine supplementation and priorities for future trials. ## Taurine in the Retina: Osmoregulation and Calcium Homeostasis Taurine plays key **cellular roles** beyond being a nutrient. In the retina it acts as an **organic osmolyte**, helping cells adjust their volume under stress. Retinal cells (including RPE, RGCs, and Müller glia) express the taurine transporter (TauT) to import taurine. Under hyperosmotic stress (such as high salt or sugar conditions), TauT expression and activity increase, causing cells to uptake more taurine and water. This protects retinal cells from shrinkage or swelling ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3724466/#:~:text=TauT%20activity%20was%20abundant%20in,fold%20under%20hyperosmolar)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3724466/#:~:text=These%20studies%20provide%20the%20first,cell%20volumes%20may%20fluctuate%20dramatically)). In other tissues (like brain astrocytes) taurine effluxes out in hypotonic conditions, allowing cells to maintain osmotic balance. Thus, taurine is fundamental to **osmoregulation** in the retina, buffering RGCs against fluid stress that can occur in diabetes or infarction ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3724466/#:~:text=TauT%20activity%20was%20abundant%20in,fold%20under%20hyperosmolar)) ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3724466/#:~:text=These%20studies%20provide%20the%20first,cell%20volumes%20may%20fluctuate%20dramatically)). Taurine also helps **regulate intracellular calcium (Ca 2+ )**, a critical factor in neuron survival. Excess cytosolic Ca 2+ can trigger mitochondrial damage and cell death. Taurine influences calcium by several mechanisms. In RGCs and other neurons, taurine has been shown to increase the capacity of mitochondria to sequester Ca 2+ , thereby lowering harmful free cytosolic Ca 2+ ([pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](htt

Taurine and Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival Across the Lifespan

Ready to check your vision?