Metabolites (Jul 2024)

Oral Supplementation with Betaine Powder Ameliorated High Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

  • Samanthi Wathsala Pelpolage,
  • Rie Sasaki,
  • Kenichiro Shimada,
  • Taizo Nagura,
  • Hirokatsu Uchino,
  • Kyu-Ho Han,
  • Michihiro Fukushima

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070390
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 7
p. 390

Abstract

Read online

Supplementation of betaine is associated with improved cardiac health, potentially due to its function in re-methylation of homocysteine, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the effects of oral betaine supplementation on blood pressure homeostasis in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats in an 8 week-feeding trial with control (SHR-con and WKY-con) and 1% betaine supplemented (SHR-b and WKY-b) diets. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure in the SHR-b group were significantly lower at week 8 (p = 0.013, p = 0.011, p = 0.010, respectively). Furthermore, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in the WKY-b and SHR-b groups, suggesting a healthy endothelial function. Additionally, the serum angiotensin I converting enzyme level in SHR-b rats was also significantly lowered, which may have been another reason for lower blood pressure. A significantly higher non-HDL level in the SHR-b group might reflect enhanced lipid secretion into the circulation in the form of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Betaine is known for its effect on the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a key component of VLDL. However, the long-term net outcomes of both blood pressure lowering and serum lipid increment should be further studied.

Keywords