A comparison of the effects of betaine and S-adenosylmethionine on ethanol-induced changes in methionine metabolism and steatosis in rat hepatocytes.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0404243 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0022-3166 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00223166 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Nutr Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: 2023- : [New York, NY] : Elsevier
      Original Publication: 1928-1933 : Springfield, Ill. : C. C. Thomas
    • Subject Terms:
      Betaine/*pharmacology ; Ethanol/*pharmacology ; Fatty Liver/*metabolism ; Hepatocytes/*metabolism ; Methionine/*metabolism ; S-Adenosylmethionine/*pharmacology; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatocytes/drug effects ; Male ; Methyltransferases/metabolism ; Microsomes, Liver/drug effects ; Microsomes, Liver/metabolism ; Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar
    • Abstract:
      Previous studies showed that chronic ethanol administration alters methionine metabolism in the liver, resulting in increased intracellular S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels and increased homocysteine release into the plasma. We showed further that these changes appear to be reversed by betaine administration. This study compared the effects of betaine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), another methylating agent, on ethanol-induced changes of methionine metabolism and hepatic steatosis. Wistar rats were fed ethanol or control Lieber-Decarli liquid diet for 4 wk and metabolites of the methionine cycle were measured in isolated hepatocytes. Hepatocytes from ethanol-fed rats had a 50% lower intracellular SAM:SAH ratio and almost 2-fold greater homocysteine release into the media compared with controls. Supplementation of betaine or SAM in the incubation media increased this ratio in hepatocytes from both control and ethanol-fed rats and attenuated the ethanol-induced increased hepatocellular triglyceride levels by approximately 20%. On the other hand, only betaine prevented the increase in generation of homocysteine in the incubation media under basal and methionine-loaded conditions. SAM can correct only the ratio and the methylation defects and may in fact be detrimental after prolonged use because of its propensity to increase homocysteine release. Both SAM and betaine are effective in increasing the SAM:SAH ratio in hepatocytes and in attenuating hepatic steatosis; however, only betaine can effectively methylate homocysteine and prevent increased homocysteine release by the liver.
    • Accession Number:
      3K9958V90M (Ethanol)
      3SCV180C9W (Betaine)
      7LP2MPO46S (S-Adenosylmethionine)
      AE28F7PNPL (Methionine)
      EC 2.1.1.- (Methyltransferases)
      EC 2.1.1.17 (Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20050301 Date Completed: 20050414 Latest Revision: 20230216
    • Publication Date:
      20240829
    • Accession Number:
      10.1093/jn/135.3.519
    • Accession Number:
      15735087