This study prospectively examined the associations between dietary choline and betaine intake and risk of colorectal cancer in men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. They did not find any statistically significant associations between choline intake or betaine intake and risk of colorectal cancer. Comparing the top quintile with bottom quintile, multivariate relative risks (95% confidence interval) were 0.97 (0.79-1.20; Ptrend = 0.87) for choline intake and 0.94 (0.77-1.16; Ptrend = 0.79) for betaine intake.
Lee et al (2010). "Choline and Betaine Intake and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Men." Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 19(3):1-4
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Mechanism for liver protection
This study tested whether betaine reduces hepatic Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) response to ethanol feeding.
Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, model, low and high dose betaine groups. Except control group, all rats were fed with high fat-containing diet plus ethanol and fish oil gavages for 8 wk. Betaine was administered intragastrically after exposure of ethanol for 4 wk. The changes of liver histology were examined. Compared with control group, rats of model group developed marked liver injury, accompanied by an increase of ALT, AST, endotoxin, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-18. Compared with the model group, betaine feeding resulted in significant decreases of all these markers. Betaine also improved liver steatosis. The expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was markedly induced in the liver after chronic ethanol consumption, but betaine significantly lowered these expression levels. There was a statistical difference of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression between high- and low-dose betaine groups.
Betaine can prevent alcohol-induced liver injury effectively and improve liver function. The expression of TLR4 increases significantly in ethanol-fed rats and betaine administration can inhibit TLR4 expression.
Shi et al (2010). "Betaine inhibits Toll-like receptor 4 expression in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury." World J Gastroenterol 16(7): 897-903.
Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups as control, model, low and high dose betaine groups. Except control group, all rats were fed with high fat-containing diet plus ethanol and fish oil gavages for 8 wk. Betaine was administered intragastrically after exposure of ethanol for 4 wk. The changes of liver histology were examined. Compared with control group, rats of model group developed marked liver injury, accompanied by an increase of ALT, AST, endotoxin, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-18. Compared with the model group, betaine feeding resulted in significant decreases of all these markers. Betaine also improved liver steatosis. The expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was markedly induced in the liver after chronic ethanol consumption, but betaine significantly lowered these expression levels. There was a statistical difference of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression between high- and low-dose betaine groups.
Betaine can prevent alcohol-induced liver injury effectively and improve liver function. The expression of TLR4 increases significantly in ethanol-fed rats and betaine administration can inhibit TLR4 expression.
Shi et al (2010). "Betaine inhibits Toll-like receptor 4 expression in rats with ethanol-induced liver injury." World J Gastroenterol 16(7): 897-903.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Prevention of liver injury
Male C57BL/6J mice were administered a control high fat diet, or one enriched in methyl donors (betaine and SAM) with or without alcohol for 4 wks using the enteral alcohol feeding model. As expected, attenuation of alcohol-induced liver injury (ALI)and an increase in GSH:GSSG ratio were achieved with methyl donor supplementation. Interestingly, methyl donors led to a 35% increase in blood alcohol elimination rate and, while there was no effect on alcohol metabolism in the stomach, a profound effect on liver alcohol metabolism was observed. The catalase-dependent pathway of alcohol metabolism was induced, yet the increase of CYP2E1 activity by alcohol was blunted which may be mitigating production of oxidants. Additional factors contributing to the protective effects of methyl donors in ALI were increased activity of low- and high-K(m) aldehyde dehydrogenases leading to lower hepatic acetaldehyde, maintenance of the efficient mitochondrial energy metabolism, and promotion of peroxisomal beta-oxidation.
Profound changes in alcohol metabolism represent additional important mechanism of the protective effect of methyl donors in ALI.
Powell et al (2010). "Mechanism for Prevention of Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury by Dietary Methyl Donors." Toxicol Sci. 115(1): 131-139
Profound changes in alcohol metabolism represent additional important mechanism of the protective effect of methyl donors in ALI.
Powell et al (2010). "Mechanism for Prevention of Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury by Dietary Methyl Donors." Toxicol Sci. 115(1): 131-139
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Betaine content of cereal products
LC-MS/MS analysis was used to analyze 47 plasma samples, 32 cereal flours and cereal fractions, and 51 cereal products.
Whole-grain wheat and rye flours, and products based on these were the best whole cereal sources of betaine (747-1508 mug/g) and to a lesser extent choline (76-159 mug/g), while the bran fraction contained the highest concentrations of betaine and free-choline (2350-2899 mug/g and 366-384 mug/g respectively). Refined wheat flour and products contained lower concentrations, while rice and maize contained only very low and no detectable amounts of betaine respectively (0-10 mug/g), and low amounts of free-choline (<31 mug/g).
These results were mirrored in cereal products analyzed, with whole-grain wheat or rye-based cereal products having the highest concentrations of the two metabolites. Plasma concentrations for betaine and free-choline in a group of 47 subjects ranged from 15.2-66.3 and 9.8-18.5 mumol/L respectively, within the range of previous reports. This LC-MS/MS method can be used to rapidly and sensitively quantify betaine and free-choline in plasma and cereal products.
Whole-grain cereal products and products containing cereal bran appear to be excellent dietary sources of betaine and free-choline.
Bruce et al (2010). "Quantitative Measurement of Betaine and Free Choline in Plasma, Cereals and Cereal Products by Isotope Dilution LC-MS/MS." J Agric Food Chem. Epub Jan 26
Whole-grain wheat and rye flours, and products based on these were the best whole cereal sources of betaine (747-1508 mug/g) and to a lesser extent choline (76-159 mug/g), while the bran fraction contained the highest concentrations of betaine and free-choline (2350-2899 mug/g and 366-384 mug/g respectively). Refined wheat flour and products contained lower concentrations, while rice and maize contained only very low and no detectable amounts of betaine respectively (0-10 mug/g), and low amounts of free-choline (<31 mug/g).
These results were mirrored in cereal products analyzed, with whole-grain wheat or rye-based cereal products having the highest concentrations of the two metabolites. Plasma concentrations for betaine and free-choline in a group of 47 subjects ranged from 15.2-66.3 and 9.8-18.5 mumol/L respectively, within the range of previous reports. This LC-MS/MS method can be used to rapidly and sensitively quantify betaine and free-choline in plasma and cereal products.
Whole-grain cereal products and products containing cereal bran appear to be excellent dietary sources of betaine and free-choline.
Bruce et al (2010). "Quantitative Measurement of Betaine and Free Choline in Plasma, Cereals and Cereal Products by Isotope Dilution LC-MS/MS." J Agric Food Chem. Epub Jan 26
Protective effect of betaine on the brain
This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of chronic ethanol consumption on brain cerebral synaptosomes and preventive role of betaine as a methyl donor and S-adenosylmethionine precursor.
24 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, ethanol (8 g/kg/day) and ethanol plus betaine(0.5% w/v) group. Animals were fed 60 ml/diet per day for two months, then sacrificed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl contents and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were determined in synaptosomal/mitochondrial enriched fraction isolated from rat cerebral cortexes. When compared to controls, ethanol containing diet significantly increased MDA levels (P < 0.05), also increased protein carbonyl levels and adenosine deaminase activities. But these were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, adding betaine to ethanol containing diet caused a significant decrease in MDA, protein carbonyl levels and adenosine deaminase activities (P < 0.05).
These results indicate that betaine may appear as a protective nutritional agent against cytotoxic brain damage induced by chronic ethanol consumption.
Kanbak et al (2008). "Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on brain synaptosomes and protective role of betaine." Neurochem Res 33(3): 539-44.
24 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, ethanol (8 g/kg/day) and ethanol plus betaine(0.5% w/v) group. Animals were fed 60 ml/diet per day for two months, then sacrificed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl contents and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were determined in synaptosomal/mitochondrial enriched fraction isolated from rat cerebral cortexes. When compared to controls, ethanol containing diet significantly increased MDA levels (P < 0.05), also increased protein carbonyl levels and adenosine deaminase activities. But these were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, adding betaine to ethanol containing diet caused a significant decrease in MDA, protein carbonyl levels and adenosine deaminase activities (P < 0.05).
These results indicate that betaine may appear as a protective nutritional agent against cytotoxic brain damage induced by chronic ethanol consumption.
Kanbak et al (2008). "Effects of chronic ethanol consumption on brain synaptosomes and protective role of betaine." Neurochem Res 33(3): 539-44.
Protective effect of betaine on the pancreas
This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the pancreatic tissue and a possible cytoprotective effect of betaine.
Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into control, ethanol, and ethanol+betaine groups. Prior to sacrifice, all groups were fed 60 mL/diet per day for two months. Rats in the ethanol group were fed with ethanol 8 g/kg/day. The ethanol+betaine groups were fed ethanol plus betaine (0.5 % w/v). Malondialdehyde levels and adenosine deaminase, superoxide dismutase, and xanthine oxidase activities were determined in pancreatic tissues of rats. Compared to control group, MDA levels increased significantly in the ethanol group (p<0.05). MDA levels in the ethanol+betaine group were significantly decreased compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05). ADA activity in the ethanol+betaine group decreased significantly when compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05). XO activities in ethanol-fed rats were decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). XO activity in the betaine group was increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the ethanol group. SOD activity in the ethanol group decreased significantly compared to control group (p<0.001). SOD activity in the ethanol+betaine group decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control group.
Betaine, as a nutritional methylating agent, may be effective against ethanol-mediated oxidative stress in pancreatic tissue.
Kanbak et al (2009). "Betaine (Trimethylglycine) as a nutritional agent prevents oxidative stress after chronic ethanol consumption in pancreatic tissue of rats." Int J Vitam Nutr Res 79(2): 79-86.
Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into control, ethanol, and ethanol+betaine groups. Prior to sacrifice, all groups were fed 60 mL/diet per day for two months. Rats in the ethanol group were fed with ethanol 8 g/kg/day. The ethanol+betaine groups were fed ethanol plus betaine (0.5 % w/v). Malondialdehyde levels and adenosine deaminase, superoxide dismutase, and xanthine oxidase activities were determined in pancreatic tissues of rats. Compared to control group, MDA levels increased significantly in the ethanol group (p<0.05). MDA levels in the ethanol+betaine group were significantly decreased compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05). ADA activity in the ethanol+betaine group decreased significantly when compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05). XO activities in ethanol-fed rats were decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). XO activity in the betaine group was increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the ethanol group. SOD activity in the ethanol group decreased significantly compared to control group (p<0.001). SOD activity in the ethanol+betaine group decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control group.
Betaine, as a nutritional methylating agent, may be effective against ethanol-mediated oxidative stress in pancreatic tissue.
Kanbak et al (2009). "Betaine (Trimethylglycine) as a nutritional agent prevents oxidative stress after chronic ethanol consumption in pancreatic tissue of rats." Int J Vitam Nutr Res 79(2): 79-86.
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