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.