Taurine levels in human aqueous humour

ABSTRACT

Objective - To determine whether taurine is present in normal human aqueous humour and whether these levels are altered in patients with retinoblastoma. Method - Taurine levels were estimated in aqueous humour of 3 children with a clinical diagnosis of retinoblastoma and in a control group of 12 patients with senile cataract and 5 children with congenital cataract. Results - Though there was no significant difference in taurine levels in the aqueous humour of children and adults with cataract, the taurine levels were significantly elevated [p<0.0001] in patients with retinoblastoma as compared with the control group of cataract patients. Conclusion - The results indicate that taurine is present in normal human aqueous humour, albeit in much smaller quantities than in other body fluids