Betaine supplement alleviates hepatic triglyceride accumulation of apolipoprotein E deficient mice via reducing methylation of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor alpha promoter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Betaine is a methyl donor and has been considered as a lipotropic effect substance. But its mechanism remains unclear. Hepatic steatosis is associated with abnormal expression of genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism. DNA methylation contributes to the disregulation of gene expression. Here we hypothesized that betaine supplement and subsequent DNA methylation modifications alter the expression of genes that are involved in hepatic lipid metabolism and hence alleviate hepatic triglyceride accumulation.

Methods

Male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice (n = 6) were fed with the AIN-93 G diet. ApoE-/- mice (n = 12), weight-matched with the WT mice, were divided into two groups (n = 6 per group), and fed with the AIN-93 G diet and AIN-93 G supplemented with 2% betaine/10

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3621752 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature