The Excretion of Taurine During Deoxypyridoxine Administration in Downs’Syndrome Patients and Controls. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Deoxypyridoxine, a vitamin B₆ antagonist, was administered to 4 patients with Downs' syndrome and controls matched for age and weight. Taurine excretion was measured in 24-hour urine samples collected before and during the period of deoxypyri-doxine administration. Taurine excretion in the Downs' syndrome patients before deoxy-pyridoxine was significantly less than their controls (p<0.01). During deoxypyridoxine administration, average taurine excretion of both groups increased on Day 1, decreased on Day 2, then increased significantly above base line levels by Day 10. There was no significant difference in taurine excretion between Downs' syndrome patients and their controls. Trend analysis for a quadratic component showed that the decrease and subsequent increased excretion of taurine was of statistical significance. Possible reasons for the observed changes were discussed. Taurine excretion during deoxypyridoxine administration differs from that found during vit B₆ depletion in man.