Effects of Oyster Extract Pills on Serum Taurine Concentration

Abstract

Studies on sulfur containing amino acids metabolism in patients with progressive muscular dystrophy revealed a significant reduction in taurine in the serum and skeletal muscles. We investigated changes in serum taurine concentrations following oral administration of oyster extract pills containing 4.92 % taurine (Japan Clinic Co., LTD.). The subjects consisted of fourteen inpatients ranging in age from 10 to 23 years old who were treated at the National Sanatoria, Saishunso. According to the staging system for Duchenne’s progressive muscular dystrophy, thirteen were in stage 6 and one in stage 7.

From June to September in 1982, one oyster extract pill (200mg) was given daily at breakfast. From October, 1982 to June, 1983, one pill was administered daily before breakfast. From December, 1982 to March, 1984, 300mg of vitamin E was administered in combination with one pill oyster extract; and from April to September in 1983, two pills daily. Serum taurine concentrations, as well as CPK, GOT, GPT, and LDH, were monitored eveηf month over a period of 16 months. The results were as follows:

( 1) The serum taurine concentrations after the administration of oyster extract pills showed an upward trend, with some individual differences, although 2 months was necessary for the effect to appear. A combined administration with vitamin E was effective in enhancing the increase in the serum taurine concentration.

(2) Although no evident improvements. in clinical conditions were observed following the administration, decreases in body weight and vital capacity were prevented. This suggests that the pills induced an increase in the muscular parenchyma rather than accumulation of fat.

(3) The administration of oyster extract pills exerted little effect on serum GOT and LDH levels, and slightly influenced the decrease in CPK. GPT showed a decline in most of the subjects after the cessation of the administration.