VLDL secretion and hepatic fat export

Chronic ethanol consumption impairs phosphatidyl choline (PC) generation via the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway. This results in diminished very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion which contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis.

The VLDL secretion in rats fed with control, ethanol and the betaine supplemented diets was determined using Triton WR-1339 to inhibit plasma VLDL metabolism.

Betaine feeding resulted in increased VLDL production rates and fat export from the liver by increasing PEMT-mediated PC generation. This attenuated the development of alcoholic fatty liver.

Kharbanda et al (2009). "Betaine administration corrects ethanol-induced defective VLDL secretion." Mol Cell Biochem. Feb 19 epub.