Long-term effect of betaine on risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome in healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of betaine on serum lipid profile, plasma homocysteine concentration and hemostatic factors in healthy subjects.


METHODS
Altogether, 63 volunteers (27 ± 8 years, body mass index 22.6 ± 2.4 kg/m(2)) participated in a placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel double-blinded study. The intervention lasted for 6 months during which the subjects consumed mineral water 500 ml/day with (betaine group, n = 32) or without (control group, n = 31) a 4-g betaine supplementation.


RESULTS
There was a significant interaction of time and group (general linear model) in serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations and total-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ratio without a significant difference between or within the groups. Concentrations of serum HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides or oxidized LDL did not change during the study. Plasma homocysteine concentration did not change in either of the groups. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 concentration increased in the betaine group (P = 0.028) and decreased in the control group (P = 0.006). There was a significant interaction of time and group (general linear model) in plasma fibrinogen and blood hemoglobin concentration without a significant difference between or within the groups. There were no changes in parameters regarding the function of the liver or kidney.


CONCLUSIONS
Betaine had no effect on serum lipid profile in long term in young healthy subjects. The lowering effect on plasma homocysteine concentration was weak.
Schwab
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Department of Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Kuopio, Finland. ursula.schwab@uef.fi
Alfthan
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Aro
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Uusitupa
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D000328:Adult; D001622:Betaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D006710:Homocysteine; D001622:Betaine