Taurine supplementation as a therapeutic strategy for cellular senescence and chronic inflammation in long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

2026-03-10
BMC infectious diseases 26(1)
- Kaiming Wang
- Chen Hsiang Ma
- Mobin Khoramjoo
- Janice Y Kung
- Gavin Y Oudit

PubMed: 41803812
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-026-13009-y

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Sample size: n = 308
Population: 27 clinical trials (n=1,030) on taurine for PASC-associated perturbations; 6 studies (n=308) on taurine levels in PASC vs recovered
Methods: Systematic search of multiple databases; random-effects meta-analysis; meta-regression

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce cellular senescence, resulting in chronic inflammation and senescence-associated secretory phenotype observed in post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC). Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is naturally upregulated during COVID-19 convalescence. Preclinical evidence suggests taurine protects against cellular senescence, telomerase deficiency, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction, indicating its potential therapeutic role in PASC. METHODS: We systemically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus through 21st March 2025 for clinical trials investigating taurine supplementation in systemic perturbations associated with PASC. Outcomes of interest included markers of glycemic control, lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiopulmonary function, and neurocognition. In a parallel analysis, we systematically searched six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus) for studies reporting plasma taurine levels during COVID-19 convalescence. Random-effects models were used to pool effect sizes, and meta-regression was employed to explore study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein), inflammation (C-reactive protein, TNF-⍺, and IL-6), and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde). Supplementation also improved blood pressure and exercise capacity, though no significant effects on neurocognition were observed. Given the dose-response relationship identified between taurine and inflammatory markers TNF-⍺ and IL-6, a daily dose of 3,000 mg appears to offer an optimal balance between clinical efficacy and tolerability. Furthermore, a pooled analysis of six studies (n = 308) revealed significantly lower plasma taurine levels in individuals with PASC compared to recovered, symptom-free counterparts (SMD - 0.35, 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Taurine supplementation effectively ameliorates key pathological features of PASC, including metabolic perturbation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. The observed relative taurine deficiency in individuals with PASC further supports its potential as a therapeutic strategy to reduce senescence burden and chronic inflammation underlying this debilitating condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD420251011508 (Registration Date: 16 March 2025).

Research Insights

Taurine→Improved Exercise Capacity
Supplementation also improved blood pressure and exercise capacity
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Improved Neurocognition
though no significant effects on neurocognition were observed
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of ... inflammation (C-reactive protein, TNF-⍺, and IL-6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
Supplementation also improved blood pressure and exercise capacity
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced HOMA-IR
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Hemoglobin A1c
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Insulin Levels
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of ... inflammation (C-reactive protein, TNF-⍺, and IL-6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Malondialdehyde
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of ... oxidative stress (malondialdehyde)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Malondialdehyde Level
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of ... oxidative stress (malondialdehyde)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3,000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure
Supplementation also improved blood pressure and exercise capacity
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of metabolic dysfunction (including hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day
Taurine→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Level
Analysis of 27 clinical trials (n = 1,030) demonstrated that taurine supplementation significantly improved markers of ... inflammation (C-reactive protein, TNF-⍺, and IL-6)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
3000 mg/day

Adverse Events Reported

Taurine→Overall tolerability
a daily dose of 3,000 mg appears to offer an optimal balance between clinical efficacy and tolerability
Finding
Reported