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Betaine: A Promising Micronutrient in Diet Intervention for Ameliorating Maternal Blood Biochemical Alterations in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

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Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exact pathophysiology remain elusive to date, nevertheless most of the studies are compatible with this fact that triggered β-cells dysfunction is the main cause of hyperglycemia in a background of a physiologically increased insulin resistance (IR). We examined betaine effects as a micronutrient on GDM by evaluation of insulin, homocysteine, HbA1c % concentrations and lipids profile in a animal model of rats. 32 pregnant rats divided into four equal groups: Control (C), Betaine (Bet. 1.5% w/w of diet), Gestational diabetes (GD) and gestational diabetes treated with betaine (GD + Bet.). GDM established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg BW). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and body weight (BW) screened during pregnancy. We also measured insulin, total homocysteine (tHcy), HbA1c%, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, Low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein concentrations, postpartum. Betaine supplementation decreased FBS and recovered BW loss in GD + Bet. compared to GD group during pregnancy. Also, it increased insulin levels, restored tHcy normal concentration, improved insulin resistance (IR) and lipids profile characterized by decreased HbA1c%, FBS, TC, LDL concentrations and increased HDL level. Diet interventions suggested to be a good approach for alleviating maternal metabolic alterations in GDM. Current paper highlighted betaine beneficial effects on GDM via increasing insulin level, improving IR and regulation of Methionine-Homocysteine cycle. Thereby, we created a paradigm for future studies of betaine role as a micronutrient in GDM prevention and management.

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Acknowledgements

This work financially supported by research council of Lorestan University. We are most grateful to Miss. Chahari and Zeynivand for their kindly cooperation in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduated Student of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, P. O. Box: 465, Khorramabad, Iran

    Pouya Salahi

  2. Division of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, P. O. Box: 465, Khorramabad, Iran

    Masoud Alirezaei

  3. Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, P. O. Box: 465, Khorramabad, Iran

    Arash Kheradmand & Alireza Rocky

Authors
  1. Pouya Salahi
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  2. Masoud Alirezaei
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  3. Arash Kheradmand
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  4. Alireza Rocky
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Correspondence to Pouya Salahi or Masoud Alirezaei.

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Ethical Approval

All rats were treated humanely and in compliance with the recommendations of Animal Care Committee for the Lorestan University (Khorramabad, Iran) with approval number: LU.ECRA. 2017.4.

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Salahi, P., Alirezaei, M., Kheradmand, A. et al. Betaine: A Promising Micronutrient in Diet Intervention for Ameliorating Maternal Blood Biochemical Alterations in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Pept Res Ther 26, 1177–1184 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-019-09922-3

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