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
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Breast cancer risk
This study examined the intake of choline and betaine and breast cancer risk among 74, 584 post-menopausal women in the Nurses’ Health Study. Overall, choline (mean±s.d.; 326±61 mg per day) and betaine (104±33 mg per day) intake was not associated with a reduced risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.
Cho E, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE, Willett WC: Choline and betaine intake and risk of breast cancer among post-menopausal women. Br J Cancer 2010:Epub Jan 2010.
Cho E, Holmes MD, Hankinson SE, Willett WC: Choline and betaine intake and risk of breast cancer among post-menopausal women. Br J Cancer 2010:Epub Jan 2010.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Betaine is atheroprotective
Paraoxonase (PON1) is an antioxidant enzyme that prevents LDL oxidation as well as detoxifies homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), both of which can cause atherosclerosis. Chronic alcohol (ETOH) and high ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) consumption may affect PON1 status presumably via reactive oxygen species by depleting liver glutathione (GSH), whereas betaine may counter their effects.
Experimental rats belonging to various dietary groups were pair-fed with Lieber-DeCarli low (2.8% the dietary calories as ω3-fatty acids) and high (13.8% the dietary calories as ω3-fatty acids) menhaden fish alcohol-liquid diets with and without betaine (10 g/l diet) for 8 weeks after which liver PON1 mRNA, GSH, lipid score, and serum PON1, HCTLase, and ALT activities were measured.
Betaine restored liver PON1 mRNA expressions in low and high ω-3 PUFA ETOH groups with parallel restorations of PON1 activity and liver GSH. Concomitantly, betaine reduced hepatosteatosis accompanied by alleviation of liver injury caused by chronic alcohol and high ω-3 PUFA.
Dietary betaine was atheroprotective by restoring liver glutathione (GSH) that quenches free radicals, but also may alleviate liver injury by reducing hepatosteatosis.
Varatharajalu et al (2009). "Betaine Protects Chronic Alcohol and Omega-3 PUFA-Mediated Down-Regulations of PON1 Gene, Serum PON1 and Homocysteine Thiolactonase Activities With Restoration of Liver GSH." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Epub Dec 17.
Experimental rats belonging to various dietary groups were pair-fed with Lieber-DeCarli low (2.8% the dietary calories as ω3-fatty acids) and high (13.8% the dietary calories as ω3-fatty acids) menhaden fish alcohol-liquid diets with and without betaine (10 g/l diet) for 8 weeks after which liver PON1 mRNA, GSH, lipid score, and serum PON1, HCTLase, and ALT activities were measured.
Betaine restored liver PON1 mRNA expressions in low and high ω-3 PUFA ETOH groups with parallel restorations of PON1 activity and liver GSH. Concomitantly, betaine reduced hepatosteatosis accompanied by alleviation of liver injury caused by chronic alcohol and high ω-3 PUFA.
Dietary betaine was atheroprotective by restoring liver glutathione (GSH) that quenches free radicals, but also may alleviate liver injury by reducing hepatosteatosis.
Varatharajalu et al (2009). "Betaine Protects Chronic Alcohol and Omega-3 PUFA-Mediated Down-Regulations of PON1 Gene, Serum PON1 and Homocysteine Thiolactonase Activities With Restoration of Liver GSH." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Epub Dec 17.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Metabonomics in ulcerative colitis
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and appropriate multivariate statistical analyses have been employed on mucosal colonic biopsies, colonocytes, lymphocytes, and urine from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and controls in order to explore the diagnostic possibilities, define new potential biomarkers, and generate a better understanding of the pathophysiology.
Samples were collected from patients with active UC, quiescent UC, and from controls and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Significant differences between controls and active UC were discovered in the metabolic profiles of biopsies and colonocytes. In the biopsies from patients with active UC higher levels of antioxidants and of a range of amino acids, but lower levels of lipid, glycerophosphocholine (GPC), myo-inositol, and betaine were found, whereas the colonocytes only displayed low levels of GPC, myo-inositol and choline. Interestingly, 20% of inactive UC patients had similar profiles to those who were in an active state.
This study demonstrates the possibilities of metabonomics as a diagnostic tool in active and quiescent UC and provides new insight into pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Bjerrum et al (2009). "Metabonomics in ulcerative colitis: diagnostics, biomarker identification, and insight into the pathophysiology." J Proteome Res: Epub Oct.
Samples were collected from patients with active UC, quiescent UC, and from controls and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Significant differences between controls and active UC were discovered in the metabolic profiles of biopsies and colonocytes. In the biopsies from patients with active UC higher levels of antioxidants and of a range of amino acids, but lower levels of lipid, glycerophosphocholine (GPC), myo-inositol, and betaine were found, whereas the colonocytes only displayed low levels of GPC, myo-inositol and choline. Interestingly, 20% of inactive UC patients had similar profiles to those who were in an active state.
This study demonstrates the possibilities of metabonomics as a diagnostic tool in active and quiescent UC and provides new insight into pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Bjerrum et al (2009). "Metabonomics in ulcerative colitis: diagnostics, biomarker identification, and insight into the pathophysiology." J Proteome Res: Epub Oct.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Betaine treatment of NAFLD
This was a randomized placebo-control study of 55 patients with biopsy-proven NASH who received either oral betaine (20 g daily) or placebo for 12 months. Treatment groups were comparable at baseline. Of the 35 patients (17 betaine, 18 placebo) who completed the study, 34 patients (16 betaine, 18 placebo) underwent posttreatment liver biopsy.
Compared to placebo, betaine improved hepatic steatosis and may protect against worsening steatosis. High-dose betaine supplementation failed to reduce S-adenosylhomocysteine and did not positively affect any of the second hit mechanisms postulated to contribute to NASH.
Abdelmalek et al (2009). "Betaine for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial." Hepatology 50(6): 1818-26.
Compared to placebo, betaine improved hepatic steatosis and may protect against worsening steatosis. High-dose betaine supplementation failed to reduce S-adenosylhomocysteine and did not positively affect any of the second hit mechanisms postulated to contribute to NASH.
Abdelmalek et al (2009). "Betaine for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial." Hepatology 50(6): 1818-26.
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