Introduction: Taurine has an important role in regulating the cardiac electric activity and anti-arrhythmias effects and it may improve heart failure. This study was designed to investigate the effect of taurine supplementation on response of the cardiac injury biomarkers to Bruce diagnostic protocol and exhaustive time in patients with heart failure.

  Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients between 50 to 65 years with heart failure, who were classified in II and III classes, were randomly divided into the taurine and placebo groups. The taurine received 1.5g taurine supplement 3 times a day in 500 milligram capsules and the placebo group consume starch capsules for two weeks. Plasma taurine, cardiac troponin I and CPK-MB concentrations were measured before and after taurine supplementation and also in each stage before and after performing the Bruce protocol (totally, 4 stages). Plasma taurine, cardiac troponin I and CPK-MB concentrations were detected by using HPLC, ELISA and immunological methods, respectively.

  Results: Results showed that Bruce protocol led to significant increase in cardiac troponin I and CPK-MB concentrations and significant decrease in plasma taurine. Furthermore, taurine supplemen­­­­­­­­tation results in the resting level decrease of cardiac troponin I and CPK-MB. Also, taurine supplementation led to increase exhaustive time in comparison with placebo group and before supplementation stage, but it couldn't completely create preventive effect on cardiac troponin I and CPK-MB concentration after the Bruce protocol.

  Conclusion: Taurine supplementation in patients with heart failure who are taking standard medical treatment can increase their exercise capacity. Furthermore, our study supports this idea that the use of taurine supplementation can be recommended to people who suffer from cardiac events as a preventive strategy.