Taurine regulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cell lines.

Background: Pancreatic beta-cells release insulin via an electrogenic response triggered by an increase in plasma glucose concentrations. The critical plasma glucose concentration has been determined to be approximately 3 mM, at which time both insulin and GABA are released from pancreatic beta-cells. Taurine, a beta-sulfonic acid, may be transported into cells to balance osmotic pressure.