Resumen

CANAS D, Patricio. BIOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL ROLE OF TAURINE AND ITS DERIVATIVES. Rev. chil. nutr. [online]. 2002, vol.29, n.3, pp.286-292. ISSN 0717-7518.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75182002000300003.

Taurine is ubiquitous in nature but its distribution and concentration differs among biological organisms. Its role as an antioxidant and osmoregulator has been recently recognized. Synthesis and transport may be different among species and tissues, with implications on the role of taurine in normal and physiologic processes and in pathological conditions. Taurine may be considered as a conditionally essential nutrient in certain circunstances such as parenteral nutrition, haemodialysis and infant formulas where a dietary supplement may be needed to maintain normal levels

Palabras clave : Taurine; conditionally essential nutrient; antioxidant; hypotaurine.