N-Acetyltaurine

N-Acetyltaurine (NacT) may be used as a marker for ethanol intake using the HILIC-based liquid chromatography methods and mass spectrometry.

N-Acetyltaurine (NAT) is a taurine-derived metabolite regulated by PTER (N-acetyltaurine hydrolase), which catalyzes its hydrolysis to taurine and acetate. NAT can be produced through multiple pathways, including the reverse reaction of PTER, catalyzing taurine acetylation under high acetate conditions, non-enzymatic condensation of taurine with acetyl-CoA, and gut microbiome-mediated production, suggesting microbiota involvement in its regulation. N-Acetyltaurine suppresses appetite through the GFRAL receptor, mitigates inflammation, preserves blood–CSF barrier integrity, and reduces oxidative stress. Acetyltaurine also reduces neuroinflammation by limiting immune cell infiltration and lowering pro-inflammatory cells like neutrophils and macrophages. In vivo studies show it reduces food intake, body weight, and adiposity, while improving glucose tolerance, supporting overall metabolic health.