Betaine reduces hepatic lipidosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats.
Carbon tetrachloride-injected rats were given liquid diets with and without betaine for 7 d. Hepatic lipidosis was induced by 4 daily injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Animals were killed and their livers and blood taken for analysis of betaine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Liver samples were also processed and stained for histological examination. Supplemental betaine reduced triglyceride in the liver and centrilobular hepatic lipidosis induced by the CCl4 injections. In both the control and experimental groups receiving betaine, liver betaine, BHMT and SAM were significantly higher than in their respective groups not receiving betaine. This study provides evidence that betaine protects the liver against CCl4-induced lipidosis and may be a useful therapeutic and prophylactic agent in ameliorating the harmful effects of CCl4.
University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences-Veterinary Pathology, Finland.
M
M
Junnila
A J
AJ
Barak
H C
HC
Beckenhauer
T
T
Rahko
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001622:Betaine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004396:Coloring Agents; D008064:Lipidoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008082:Lipotropic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D004396:Coloring Agents; D008082:Lipotropic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D001622:Betaine; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride