The investigators want to analyze the effect of Taurin on portal hemodynamics in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

28 days of 6 grams Taurine versus Placebo (randomization 1:1).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients (male and female) aged older than 18 years with advanced liver cirrhosis (Child's Grade B and Child's Grade C), regardless of the disease origin (viral, alcoholic, idiopathic), who are scheduled for hepatic hemodynamic investigation
• Negative pregnancy test of women with childbearing potential
• Patient without beta blocker therapy: due to: intolerance of the medication, preexisting contraindication against beta blocker therapy, endoscopic band ligation as prophylaxis

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of variceal bleeding without endoscopic band ligation
• History of endoscopically diagnosed large varices with red spots without previous bleeding and without endoscopic band ligation
• HVPG < 10 mmHg
• HVPG > 20 mmHg and varices, unless ligated and treated in an eradication program within 6 months
• Beta Blocker therapy
• History of hypersensitivity to the trial drugs and contrast agent or to drugs with similar chemical structure
• Treatment with vasoactive or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or systematic antibiotics one week before the study
• Exclusion criteria for hepatic hemodynamic investigation
• Cardiac, renal or respiratory failure
• Previous surgical or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
• Breast-feeding or pregnant women