Decrease in the uptake and concentration of taurine in blood platelets of retinitis pigmentosa patients
Airaksinen, E.M.; Airaksinen, M.M.; Sihvola, P.; Marnela, K.M.
Metabolic and Pediatric Ophthalmology 5(1): 45-48
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0191-2771 PMID: 7253766 Document Number: 168859
Taurine-deficiency causes retinal degeneration in cats. An attempt was made to determine the role of taurine in human retinitis pigmentosa (RP) by using platelets as a model of retina tissue. Uptake of 3H-taurine and endogenous concentrations of taurine and other amino acids in platelets were studied from RP and Usher's syndromes (RP + deafness) patients and from control persons. Both the uptake and concentration of taurine was decreased in the platelets in RP but not in Usher's patients. These findings suggest the role of abnormal taurine transport also in human RP.