Taurine protection against experimental arterial calcinosis in mice.

Combined administration of vitamin D3 and nicotine produced severe myocardial and aortic calcinosis in mice within 4 days. Treatment of these mice with taurine increased the survival rate of the mice and reduced the elevation of calcium content in both aorta and myocardium as did diltiazem treatment. The present study suggests that taurine which is capable of regulating calcium flux may also prevent the progression of arteriosclerosis.