Betaine prevents Mallory-Denk body formation

Drug-primed mice were fed betaine, together with DDC, which was refed for 7 days. Betaine:

- reduced Mallory-Denk body (MDB) formation (markers for liver disease)
- decreased the liver/body weight ratio
- decreased the number of FAT10 positive liver cells
- prevented the decreased expression of BHMT, AHCY, MAT1a and GNMT and the increased expression of MTHFR, caused by DDC refeeding
- prevented the rise in S-Adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels caused by DDC refeeding

Oliva et al (2009). "Betaine prevents Mallory-Denk body formation in drug-primed mice by epigenetic mechanisms." Exp Mol Pathol 86(2): 77-86.