Could taurine supplementation improve graft functions after liver transplantation? A randomized clinical trial among liver transplant recipients.
- 2026-04
- Clinical nutrition ESPEN 72
- Shaghayegh Mottaghi
- Afsaneh Vazin
- Hamed Nikoupour
- Seyed Mohammad Firoozifar
- Elham Haem
- Reza Heidari
- Mojtaba Shafiekhani
- PubMed: 41605371
- DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2026.102920
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 225
- Population
- adults undergoing liver transplantation
- Methods
- randomized, double-blind trial; patients received oral taurine or placebo (2 g/day) from transplant day to day 30
- Blinding
- Double-blind
- Duration
- from transplant day to day 30
- Funding
- Unclear
- Large Human Trial
Introduction
Graft dysfunction after liver transplantation is marked by elevated liver enzymes. Taurine, an antioxidant amino acid, may support graft function. This study evaluated taurine's effect on post-transplant liver biomarkers.Methods
In this randomized, double-blind trial, adults undergoing liver transplantation (Sept 2020-June 2021) were enrolled. Exclusions were death within 72 h or multi-organ transplant. Patients received oral taurine or placebo (2 g/day) from transplant day to day 30. The primary outcomes were changes in liver enzymes and bilirubin. Secondary outcomes included mortality, intensive transplantation unit (ITU)/hospital stay, and ventilation duration.Results
Of 225 patients, 56 were excluded (29 refusals, 27 early deaths). The 169 analyzed patients were evenly randomized. The taurine group had significantly greater reductions in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR). Taurine was also associated with significantly lower mortality (p < 0.05), shorter ITU stay (mean difference: -4.09 days), shorter hospital stay (mean difference: -3.49 days), and reduced mechanical ventilation duration (mean difference: -20.06 h) compared to placebo. All patients showed expected post-operative declines in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST, and bilirubin.Conclusion
Supplementation with 2 g/day taurine for 30 days after transplantation was associated with improved graft function markers (AST, total bilirubin, INR) and better clinical recovery outcomes. These results suggest taurine may be a beneficial adjunct therapy to support early post-transplant recovery.Research Insights
All patients showed expected post-operative declines in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST, and bilirubin.
- Effect
- Neutral
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 g/day
The taurine group had significantly greater reductions in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 g/day
shorter hospital stay (mean difference: -3.49 days)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 2 g/day
shorter ITU stay (mean difference: -4.09 days)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 2 g/day
The taurine group had significantly greater reductions in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 g/day
reduced mechanical ventilation duration (mean difference: -20.06 h)
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 2 g/day
Taurine was also associated with significantly lower mortality (p < 0.05), shorter ITU stay (mean difference: -4.09 days), shorter hospital stay (mean difference: -3.49 days), and reduced mechanical ventilation duration (mean difference: -20.06 h) compared to placebo.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Moderate
- Dose
- 2 g/day
The taurine group had significantly greater reductions in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR).
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 2 g/day