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Ameliorative potential of betaine against arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity

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Abstract

Considering several limitations as well as accompanying side effects of currently available arsenic antidotes, it is essential to conduct research studies to find better therapeutic and prophylactic agents against arsenicosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of betaine versus arsenite-induced alterations of some biochemical parameters indicative of oxidative stress and infliction of the liver and kidney. Twenty-four adult male rats were divided into four groups: group I or control received normal tap water and a basal diet, group II was administered 100 ppm arsenite in tap water, group III was given betaine (2% of the diet) during exposure to arsenite, and group IV received betaine (2% of the diet) for 30 days. The results of this study showed a significant decline in glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase values as well as increased malondialdehyde in the liver and kidney of arsenite-treated animals compared to the ones in the control group. Likewise, a significant rise of plasma AST, ALT, ALP, and urea, as well as a decline of total protein, could reflect As-induced hepatic and renal injury. Betaine administration in As‐intoxicated mice of group ΙΙΙ significantly enhanced values of hepatic GSH as well as renal catalase amounts relative to group ΙΙ. Betaine administration in group III notably increased SOD and attenuated malondialdehyde values of the liver and kidney to levels that did not significantly differ from those in the control group. Moreover, the use of betaine in group ΙΙΙ notably altered the values of ALT, ALP, total protein, AST, and urea relative to group ΙΙ to the amounts that were comparable to the control group. These findings indicated that betaine administration had been partly successful in restoring As-induced alterations in the oxidative and biochemical marker indices of liver and kidney damage in rats. Therefore, betaine can be regarded as a potential candidate to diminish As-induced toxicity in the liver and kidney, which could be due to its antioxidant nature as well as methyl donor properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Salim al-Hafyan & Ahmad Asoodeh

  2. Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

    Hasan Baghshani & Leili Ebrahimi Salari

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  1. Salim al-Hafyan
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  2. Ahmad Asoodeh
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  3. Hasan Baghshani
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  4. Leili Ebrahimi Salari
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Correspondence to Hasan Baghshani.

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The study was financially supported by grant no. 3/44872 by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The authors hereby appreciated the relevant authorities.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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All procedures involving animals and experiments on those animals were approved by the Animal Welfare Committee at Ferdowsi University in Mashhad (permit no. 1392–27816) and by the national guidelines established by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology and based on the 86/609/EEC European Union Directives.

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al-Hafyan, S., Asoodeh, A., Baghshani, H. et al. Ameliorative potential of betaine against arsenite-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Comp Clin Pathol 33, 155–162 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-023-03535-5

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