Hyperhomocysteinemia reduction in ethanol-fed rabbits by oral betaine

Betaine has been shown to protect the body by increasing S-adenosyl methionine levels in experimental animals. Therefore, we investigated the preventive effect of betaine on ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia in a rabbit animal model. A total of 32 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four equal groups (control, ethanol, betaine, and betaine and ethanol) with different dietary regimens and were followed up for 3 months. The day before the beginning, the 30th, 60th, and 90th days of the treatment, blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein. Plasma total homocysteine was determined by an Axis® Homocysteine EIA kit, and a SimulTRAC-SNB Radioassay kit ([ 57Co]/folate [ 125I]) was used to determine folate and vitamin B 12 in the serum. Ethanol-induced hyperhomocysteinemia was manifested by a decrease in the levels of vitamin B 12 and folate with a concomitant increase in the level of total homocysteine (tHcy) for the ethanol group only. While vitamin B 12 showed no significant difference in the betaine and ethanol group on the 90th day compared to the control group, the concentration of folate differed significantly (p < 0. 05). There was a significant difference only on the 90th day between the ethanol and the other groups for tHcy (p < 0. 05); however, no significant difference was observed between tHcy and gender. Taken together, the present study indicates that the protective effect of betaine is related to the ability to promote the betaine homocysteine methyl transferase pathway by providing the methyl group and subsequently increase B 12 and folate. Therefore, this investigation recommends the use of the beneficial properties of betaine as a pretreatment method for alcoholics. © 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited.