Betaine Promotes Fat Accumulation and Reduces Injury in Landes Goose Hepatocytes by Regulating Multiple Lipid Metabolism Pathways

Abstract

Betaine is a well-established supplement used in livestock feeding. In our previous study, betaine was shown to result in the redistribution of body fat, a healthier steatosis phenotype, and an increased liver weight and triglyceride storage of the Landes goose liver, which is used for foie-gras production. However, these effects are not found in other species and strains, and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we studied the underpinning molecular mechanisms by developing an in vitro fatty liver cell model using primary Landes goose hepatocytes and a high-glucose culture medium. Oil red-O staining, a mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and a qRT-PCR were used to quantify lipid droplet characteristics, mitochondrial β-oxidation, and fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression, respectively. Our in vitro model successfully simulated steatosis caused by overfeeding. Betaine supplementation resulted in small, well-distributed lipid droplets, consistent with previous experiments in vivo. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential was restored, and gene expression of fatty acid synthesis genes (e.g., sterol regulatory-element binding protein, diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 and 2) was lower after betaine supplementation. By contrast, the expression of lipid hydrolysis transfer genes (mitochondrial transfer protein and lipoprotein lipase) was higher. Overall, the results provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for the use of betaine in animal production.

Effects of dietary betaine and protected calcium butyrate supplementation on growth performance, blood biochemical status, and meat quality in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

“…According to our findings, relative liver weights of quails fed with Bet enriched diets were statistically higher than the control and other treatment groups. One possible explanation for this situation is that lipid metabolism regulation activity of Bet might result in an increase in the number of hepatocytes and their size due to the accumulation of triglycerides in liver cells (Liu et al 2022).…”

“…Likewise, other studies also noted that the use of dietary Bet (Rama Rao et al 2011, Uzunoğlu and Yalçın 2019, El-Bahr et al 2021) and butyrate (Yin et al 2016, Deepa et al 2017, Elnesr et al 2019 in poultry nutrition leads to a decrease in blood lipid values, similar to our findings. Both Bet and PCB contribute to the fat accumulation to the metabolism in poultry (Liu et al 2022).…”

The Protective Effect of Lycium barbarum Betaine and Effervescent Tablet Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats

“…19 In addition to its strong antioxidant properties, betaine also has significant pharmacological effects. It may prevent hyperhomocysteinemia, 20 protect the liver, 21 have a positive effect on cardiometabolic health, 22 inhibit tumors, have anticancer effects, lower blood pressure, cause sedation, and relieve pain and fever. 23…”

“…19 In addition to its strong antioxidant properties, betaine also has significant pharmacological effects. It may prevent hyperhomocysteinemia, 20 protect the liver, 21 have a positive effect on cardiometabolic health, 22 inhibit tumors, have anticancer effects, lower blood pressure, cause sedation, and relieve pain and fever. 23 Betaine has been found to have a positive effect on fatty liver disease by methionine choline deficiency by regulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.…”