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The Role of Betaine in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: a Narrative Review

  • Functional Foods (I Rudkowska, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This narrative review aimed to explore the functions of betaine and discuss its role in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Recent Findings

Some studies on CKD animal models have shown the benefits of betaine supplementation, including decreased kidney damage, antioxidant recovery status, and decreased inflammation.

Summary

Betaine (N-trimethylglycine) is an N-trimethylated amino acid with an essential regulatory osmotic function. Moreover, it is a methyl donor and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, betaine has positive effects on intestinal health by regulating the osmolality and gut microbiota. Due to these crucial functions, betaine has been studied in several diseases, including CKD, in which betaine plasma levels decline with the progression of the disease. Low betaine levels are linked to increased kidney damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and intestinal dysbiosis. Furthermore, betaine is considered an essential metabolite for identifying CKD stages.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).

Funding

This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq) number 200162/2020–9, and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) number E-26/202.524/2019.

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  1. Post Graduation Program in Medical Sciences, (UFF), Federal Fluminense University, Unidade de Pesquisa Clínica. Rua Marques Do Paraná, 303, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil

    Livia Alvarenga & Denise Mafra

  2. Post Graduation Program in Science of Nutrition, Sports and Metabolism, Faculty of Applied Sciences – State, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo (SP), Brazil

    Maíra S. Ferreira

  3. Post Graduation Program in Cardiovascular Sciences, Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Niterói- Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil

    Julie A. Kemp

  4. Graduate Program in Biological Sciences – Physiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil

    Denise Mafra

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  1. Livia Alvarenga
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  2. Maíra S. Ferreira
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  3. Julie A. Kemp
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  4. Denise Mafra
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All authors effectively participated in the preparation of this article.

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Correspondence to Livia Alvarenga.

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Alvarenga, L., Ferreira, M.S., Kemp, J.A. et al. The Role of Betaine in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: a Narrative Review. Curr Nutr Rep 11, 395–406 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00426-z

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