Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
randomized double-blind crossover study
Participants
13 children with cystic fibrosis and a significant degree of steatorrhea (> 13 g/d) were enrolled
Interventions
taurine (30 mg/kg per day) in contrast to placebo for two successive 4-month periods.
Outcome measures
No difference was noted in height and weight velocity, lung function, vitamin A level, and essential fatty acid status. Twelve of the 13 patients showed a decrease in fecal fatty acid excretion (26.5 +/- 2.6 g/24 h vs 15.4 +/- 2.5 g/24 h), affecting mainly saturates and monounsaturates, and a decrease in total sterol excretion (1492.6 +/- 303 mg/24 h vs 1211.7 +/- 213.8 mg/24 h) while ingesting taurine.
Main results
height and weight, lung function, vitamin A level, and essential fatty acid status, fecal fatty acid excretion
Authors' conclusions
Taurine may be a useful adjunct in patients with cystic fibrosis and severe steatorrhea.