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Frontiers in Immunology 2018Betaine is known as trimethylglycine and is widely distributed in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Betaine is known to function physiologically as an important... (Review)
Review
Betaine is known as trimethylglycine and is widely distributed in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Betaine is known to function physiologically as an important osmoprotectant and methyl group donor. Accumulating evidence has shown that betaine has anti-inflammatory functions in numerous diseases. Mechanistically, betaine ameliorates sulfur amino acid metabolism against oxidative stress, inhibits nuclear factor-κB activity and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, regulates energy metabolism, and mitigates endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. Consequently, betaine has beneficial actions in several human diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Betaine; Biomarkers; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Inflammation; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Signal Transduction; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 29881379
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01070 -
European Journal of Nutrition Apr 2022Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) is one of most common chronic liver diseases. Hepatic steatosis is the earliest stage in AALD pathological spectrum, reversible... (Review)
Review
Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) is one of most common chronic liver diseases. Hepatic steatosis is the earliest stage in AALD pathological spectrum, reversible by alcohol abstinence. Untreated steatosis can progress to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Considering the difficulties in achieving complete abstinence, challenges in disease reversal at advanced stages, high costs of AALD management and lack of standardised prescribed medications for treatment, it is essential to explore low-cost natural compounds that can target AALD at an early stage and halt or decelerate disease progression. Betaine is a non-hazardous naturally occurring nutrient. Here, we address the mechanisms of alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis, the role of betaine in reversing the effects i.e., its action against hepatic steatosis in animal models and humans, and the associated cellular and molecular processes. Accordingly, the review discusses how betaine restores the alcohol-induced reduction in methylation potential by elevating the levels of S-adenosylmethionine and methionine. It details how betaine reinstates alcohol-induced alterations in the expressions and/or activities of protein phosphtase-2A, FOXO1, PPAR-α, AMPK, SREBP-1c, fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol transferase-2, adiponectin and nitric oxide. Interrelationships between these factors in preventing de novo lipogenesis, reducing hepatic uptake of adipose-tissue-derived free fatty acids, promoting VLDL synthesis and secretion, and restoring β-oxidation of fatty acids to attenuate hepatic triglyceride accumulation are elaborated. Despite its therapeutic potential, very few clinical trials have examined betaine's effect on alcohol-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. This review will provide further confidence to conduct randomised control trials to enable maximum utilisation of betaine's remedial properties to treat alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis.
Topics: Animals; Betaine; Fatty Liver; Lipogenesis; Liver; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
PubMed: 34817678
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02738-2 -
Nutrition Research Reviews Jun 2022The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) poses a growing challenge in terms of its prevention and treatment. The 'multiple hits' hypothesis... (Review)
Review
The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) poses a growing challenge in terms of its prevention and treatment. The 'multiple hits' hypothesis of multiple insults, such as dietary fat intake, lipogenesis, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis and hepatic inflammation, can provide a more accurate explanation of the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Betaine plays important roles in regulating the genes associated with NAFLD through anti-inflammatory effects, increased free fatty oxidation, anti-lipogenic effects and improved insulin resistance and mitochondrial function; however, the mechanism of betaine remains elusive.
Topics: Betaine; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Lipogenesis; Liver; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
PubMed: 33818349
DOI: 10.1017/S0954422421000056 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Betaine is a non-essential amino acid with proven functional properties and underutilized potential. The most common dietary sources of betaine are beets, spinach, and... (Review)
Review
Betaine is a non-essential amino acid with proven functional properties and underutilized potential. The most common dietary sources of betaine are beets, spinach, and whole grains. Whole grains-such as quinoa, wheat and oat brans, brown rice, barley, etc.-are generally considered rich sources of betaine. This valuable compound has gained popularity as an ingredient in novel and functional foods due to the demonstrated health benefits that it may provide. This review study will provide an overview of the various natural sources of betaine, including different types of food products, and explore the potential of betaine as an innovative functional ingredient. It will thoroughly discuss its metabolic pathways and physiology, disease-preventing and health-promoting properties, and further highlight the extraction procedures and detection methods in different matrices. In addition, gaps in the existing scientific literature will be emphasized.
Topics: Betaine; Diet; Whole Grains; Dietary Fiber; Functional Food
PubMed: 37375378
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124824 -
Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic,... 2008Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric synthetic detergent that has been increasingly used in cosmetics and personal hygiene products (eg, shampoos, contact lens... (Review)
Review
Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric synthetic detergent that has been increasingly used in cosmetics and personal hygiene products (eg, shampoos, contact lens solutions, toothpaste detergents, makeup removers, bath gels, skin care products, cleansers, liquid soaps, antiseptics, and gynecologic and anal hygiene products) because it induces relatively mild skin irritation. Delayed T-cell-mediated type IV hypersensitivity reactions to CAPB have been reported, and contact sensitization prevalence is estimated at between 3.0 and 7.2%. The increasing rates of sensitization led to CAPB's being named Allergen of the Year in 2004. Related impurities rendered during the manufacturing process (such as amidoamine and dimethylaminopropylamine) are thought to play a role in sensitization.
Topics: Betaine; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Irritant; Detergents; Humans; Patch Tests; Surface-Active Agents
PubMed: 18627690
DOI: No ID Found -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Jun 2016Betaine is the trimethyl derivative of glycine and is normally present in human plasma due to dietary intake and endogenous synthesis in liver and kidney. Betaine is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Betaine is the trimethyl derivative of glycine and is normally present in human plasma due to dietary intake and endogenous synthesis in liver and kidney. Betaine is utilized in the kidney primarily as an osmoprotectant, whereas in the liver its primary role is in metabolism as a methyl group donor. In both organs, a specific betaine transporter mediates cellular uptake of betaine from plasma. The abundance of both betaine and the betaine transporter in liver greatly exceeds that of other organs.
SCOPE OF REVIEW
The remarkable contributions of betaine to normal human and animal health are summarized together with a discussion of the mechanisms and potential beneficial effects of dietary betaine supplements on liver disease.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
A significant amount of data from animal models of liver disease indicates that administration of betaine can halt and even reverse progression of the disruption of liver function. Betaine is well-tolerated, inexpensive, effective over a wide range of doses, and is already used in livestock feeding practices.
GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE
The accumulated data indicate that carefully controlled additional investigations in humans are merited. The focus should be on the long-term use of betaine in large patient populations with liver diseases characterized by development of fatty liver, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease.
Topics: Animals; Betaine; Humans; Kidney; Liver; Liver Diseases; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
PubMed: 26850693
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.02.001 -
Nutrition Reviews May 2023The most important pathway in the development of folate-related pathologies is an increase in the level of homocysteine (HC). HC, a cytotoxic and neurotoxic amino acid... (Review)
Review
The most important pathway in the development of folate-related pathologies is an increase in the level of homocysteine (HC). HC, a cytotoxic and neurotoxic amino acid (when its level is ≥12 μmol/L), is 1 of the most widely studied compounds in cardiology, neurobiology, oncology, and embryology for the last 20 years. Given its toxicity, the processes of endogenous detoxification of HC are of particular interest to medicine. To date, the most studied pathway is that of remethylation (the conversion of HC to methionine), with the participation of B12- and B9-dependent methionine synthase. Less studied is remethylation with the participation of the choline derivatives betaine and betaine-HC-S-methyltransferase (BHMT). Therefore, the aim of this review was to conduct a theoretical analysis of available information regarding the contribution of betaine metabolism, its enzyme, and its genetic polymorphism to folate metabolism disturbances, and the development of folate-related pathologies. This review emphasizes the potential clinical significance of 2 factors that can influence the remethylation reaction of HC: the use of betaine and identifying the BHMT gene variants and their impact on the risk for developing certain folate-related pathologies, and treatment options. Moreover, with a high level of methylation of the BHMT gene and in the presence of its low-function variants (eg, rs3733890), it is necessary to use betaine as an additional methyl donor, especially during folate therapy. More clinical research is needed to identify the effects of the different BHMT gene variants on the individual risk for folate-related pathologies to better assess the clinical significance, the need for genetic testing, and betaine consumption.
Topics: Humans; Betaine; Folic Acid; Betaine-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase; Methionine; Amino Acids; Homocysteine
PubMed: 36164833
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac084 -
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal... May 2022Betaine, the trimethyl derivative of glycine, is a good methyl group donor, and an important component in pig production. However, betaine has not been extensively... (Review)
Review
Betaine, the trimethyl derivative of glycine, is a good methyl group donor, and an important component in pig production. However, betaine has not been extensively studied in this field. Therefore, in this study, we reviewed the effects of betaine in pig production performance, meat quality and reproductive performance, as well as its mechanisms, to provide a theoretical basis for the optimal use and development of this compound.
Topics: Animals; Betaine; Glycine; Meat; Swine
PubMed: 34486782
DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13633 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2022Betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is an amino-acid derivative exerting numerous beneficial effects on the organism. This compound is found in human and animal diets but... (Review)
Review
Betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is an amino-acid derivative exerting numerous beneficial effects on the organism. This compound is found in human and animal diets but is also endogenously generated. However, its synthesis may be insufficient to maintain or improve health. Moreover, the tissue content of betaine reduces under some pathological conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. This decrease may be, however, easily alleviated by dietary betaine supplementation. Rodent studies provided evidence that betaine effectively limits many diabetes-related disturbances. Betaine therapy improves glucose tolerance and insulin action, which is strongly associated with changes in insulin-sensitive tissues, such as skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and liver. Betaine supplementation positively affects multiple genes, which expression is dysregulated in diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase is thought to play a central role in the mechanism underlying the anti-diabetic betaine action. Moreover, studies with animal models of type 2 diabetes have shown that betaine exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, and also alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress. These changes contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood glucose clearance. The results of animal studies encourage the exploration of the therapeutic betaine efficacy in humans with type 2 diabetes.
Topics: Animals; Betaine; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Rodentia
PubMed: 35413601
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112946 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... 2005Betaine serves as a methyl donor in a reaction converting homocysteine to methionine, catalysed by the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. It has been used... (Review)
Review
Betaine serves as a methyl donor in a reaction converting homocysteine to methionine, catalysed by the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. It has been used for years to lower the concentration of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) in patients with homocystinuria, and has recently been shown to reduce fasting and in particular post-methionine load (PML) tHcy in healthy subjects. Betaine exists in plasma at concentrations of about 30 micromol/L; it varies 10-fold (from 9 to 90 micromol/L) between individuals, but the intra-individual variability is small. Major determinants are choline, dimethylglycine and folate in plasma, folic acid intake and gender. Recent studies have demonstrated that plasma betaine is a stronger determinant of PML tHcy than are vitamin B6 and folate. The betaine-PML tHcy relationship is attenuated after supplementation with B-vitamins, and is most pronounced in subjects with low folate. Betaine shows a weaker association with fasting tHcy (than with PML tHcy), and also this association is most pronounced in subjects with low folate. In pregnancy, plasma betaine declines until gestational week 20, and thereafter remains constant. From gestational week 20 onwards, fasting tHcy shows a strong inverse association with plasma betaine, and betaine becomes a stronger predictor than folate of fasting tHcy. To conclude, betaine status is a component of an individual's biochemical make-up with ramifications to one-carbon metabolism. Betaine status should be investigated in pathologies related to altered metabolism of homocysteine and folate, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neural tube defects.
Topics: Animals; Betaine; Carbon; Cholic Acids; Homocysteine; Humans; Lipids; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 16197300
DOI: 10.1515/CCLM.2005.187