This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Randomized Double-blind Trial

Lesley J. Smith, MD; Florence Lacaille, MD; Guy Lepage, MSc; Nancy Ronco, RT; André Lamarre, MD; Claude C. Roy, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1991;145(12):1401-1404.

Abstract
• 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.

(AJDC. 1991;145:1401-1404)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Ste-Justine and the Université de Montréal, Quebec.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 8, 1991.

Reprint requests to Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Hôpital Ste-Justine, 3175 Ste-Catherine Rd, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3T 1C5 (Dr Roy).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?