Effect of betaine on liver injuries in aging db/db mice induced by lipids

AIM:To evaluate the effect of betaine on lipid metabolism disorder in inherited db/db mice with long-term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS: Experimental NAFLD models were established by feeding the db/db mice with high-fat diet.Fifty 7-month-old db/db mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the mice in low,medium and high dose groups were given betaine by intragastric administration at doses of 200 mg/kg,400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg for 6 weeks,respectively,while the mice in saline control group and positive drug group were given normal saline and positive control drug,respctively.All the animals were killed,and serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL) and glucose tolerance were detected.The pathological changes of the liver tissues were also observed.RESULTS: Betaine significantly decreased the levels of ALT,TC and LDL(P0.05 or P0.01).The pathological changes of the liver tissues indicated that the content of lipid in the hepatocytes of betaine treatment groups was less than that in saline control group.CONCLUSION: Betaine significantly improves the lipid metabolism and the liver function in the aging db/db mice,and reduces the accumulation of lipid in the hepatocytes.