Preventive effect of betaine on ethanol-induced membrane lipid composition and membrane ATPases

The aim of this study was to observe ethanol-induced membrane injury and to investigate the protective effect of betaine against chronic ethanol toxicity. Rats were divided into three groups: control group (n=8), ethanol (8 g/kg per day) group (n=8) and ethanol plus betaine (0.5% w/v) group (n=8). C...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of toxicology 2001-03, Vol.75 (1), p.55-57
Main Authors: Kanbak, G, Akyuez, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
betaine
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Summary:The aim of this study was to observe ethanol-induced membrane injury and to investigate the protective effect of betaine against chronic ethanol toxicity. Rats were divided into three groups: control group (n=8), ethanol (8 g/kg per day) group (n=8) and ethanol plus betaine (0.5% w/v) group (n=8). Cholesterol concentrations (P0.05) and the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/PL) molar ratio (P0.01) were significantly increased in the erythrocyte membranes of ethanol-treated rats compared with those of the control group. Cholesterol (P0.05) and the C/PL ratio (P0.01) were decreased to control group levels after betaine administration. The activities of Ca super(2+)-Mg super(2+) ATPase and Na super(+)-K super(+) ATPase were lower than those of the control group (bothP0.001), but the activities of these enzyme were increased in the betaine treatment group (P0.05). Our findings show that chronic ethanol consumption may affect membrane functions and betaine administration may be a useful agent for the treatment of chronic ethanol toxicity.
ISSN:0340-5761