Preventive effect of betaine on ethanol-induced membrane lipid composition and membrane ATPases

Abstract.

The aim of this study was to observe ethanol-induced membrane injury and to investigate the protective effect of betaine against chronic ethanol toxicity. Rats were divided into three groups: control group (n=8), ethanol (8 g/kg per day) group (n=8) and ethanol plus betaine (0.5% w/v) group (n=8). Cholesterol concentrations (P<0.05) and the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/PL) molar ratio (P<0.01) were significantly increased in the erythrocyte membranes of ethanol-treated rats compared with those of the control group. Cholesterol (P<0.05) and the C/PL ratio (P<0.01) were decreased to control group levels after betaine administration. The activities of Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ ATPase and Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase were lower than those of the control group (both P<0.001), but the activities of these enzyme were increased in the betaine treatment group (P<0.05). Our findings show that chronic ethanol consumption may affect membrane functions and betaine administration may be a useful agent for the treatment of chronic ethanol toxicity.