**Preface to "Regulation and Effect of Taurine on Metabolism"**

In this Special Issue "Regulation and Effect of Taurine on Metabolism", the newest insight into taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) role has been reported from the scientific community which investigates its wide-ranging physiological and pharmacological play. Taurine could have been erroneously considered a small and simple amino acid but since its discovery, almost 200 years ago, has proven to play a crucial role as an essential compound in numerous fields, including biochemistry, physiology, biology, molecular biology, basic and clinical medicine, sport and exercise science, neuroscience, radiology, immunology, nutrition, food science, marine science, and others.

The aim of this Special Issue was to investigate taurine key nutrient properties associated with various metabolisms to maintain healthy conditions, prevent various diseases, and support growth and aging.

Thanks to the authors'contributions, new understandings were achieved on the fetuses and infants'growth of cells and tissue development; on its function in the brain, skeletal muscles, testis, and on body temperature; as well as its role to prevent and improve metabolic diseases as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver. Moreover, possible regulatory protective roles were also reported against metabolic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and inflammatory diseases, and its potential support in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The editors hope this Special Issue will promote and facilitate further investigations on the clinical importance of taurine and support the taurine scientific community in disseminating their research findings.

> **Teruo Miyazaki, Takashi Ito, Alessia Baseggio Conrado, and Shigeru Murakami** *Editors*
