Alleviation of acute ethanol-induced liver injury and impaired metabolomics of S-containing substances by betaine supplementation.
Oxidative stress is suggested to play a key role in the development of alcoholic liver injury. We investigated the induction of oxidative damage in association with changes in hepatic concentrations of sulfur-containing substances in mice challenged with binge-like ethanol administration. Also the protective effect of dietary betaine against ethanol-induced liver injury was determined. Serum alanine aminotransferase activity, TNFalpha level, and hepatic malondialdehyde level were increased significantly by ethanol administration. Hepatic Cyp2e1 was induced to 250% of control. Ethanol administration decreased hepatic S-adenosylmethionine, cysteine, and glutathione, but elevated hypotaurine and taurine levels. Betaine supplied in drinking water for 2 weeks attenuated the induction of alcoholic liver injury and Cyp2e1 significantly. Reduction of hepatic S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione was alleviated, and elevation of hypotaurine and taurine was depressed. The results suggest that betaine may protect the liver against ethanol-induced oxidative injury most probably via its effects on the sulfur-amino acid metabolism.
Kim
Sun J
SJ
College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, San 56-1 Shinrim-Dong, Kwanak-Ku, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Jung
Young S
YS
Kwon
Do Y
DY
Kim
Young C
YC
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001622:Betaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000431:Ethanol; D001622:Betaine; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; D000410:Alanine Transaminase