Taurine decreases fecal fatty acid and sterol excretion in cystic fibrosis. A randomized double-blind trial
L. J. Smith, F. Lacaille, G. Lepage, N. Ronco, A. Lamarre and C. C. Roy
Department of Pediatrics, Hopital Ste-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Patients with cystic fibrosis may still have a significant degree of
steatorrhea despite adequate pancreatic enzyme supplementation. Taurine is
a conditionally essential amino acid that possibly improves the micellar
phase of fat digestion. Thirteen children with cystic fibrosis and a
significant degree of steatorrhea (> 13 g/d) were enrolled in a
randomized double-blind crossover study of taurine (30 mg/kg per day) in
contrast to placebo for two successive 4-month periods. No difference was
noted in height and weight velocity, lung function, vitamin A level, and
essential fatty acid status. Twelve of the 13 patients showed a decrease in
fecal fatty acid excretion (26.5 +/- 2.6 g/24 h vs 15.4 +/- 2.5 g/24 h),
affecting mainly saturates and monounsaturates, and a decrease in total
sterol excretion (1492.6 +/- 303 mg/24 h vs 1211.7 +/- 213.8 mg/24 h) while
ingesting taurine. Taurine may be a useful adjunct in patients with cystic
fibrosis and severe steatorrhea.