Anti-inflammatory effects of betaine on AOM/DSS‑induced colon tumorigenesis in ICR male mice

Int J Oncol. 2014 Sep;45(3):1250-6. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2515. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

Abstract

Betaine is an important human nutrient obtained from various foods and studies in animals and humans have provided results suggesting their pathogenesis of various chronic diseases and points to a role in risk assessment and disease prevention. However, the molecular mechanisms of its activity remain poorly understood and warrant further investigation. This study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammation and tumor preventing capacity of betaine on colitis-associated cancer in mice. In in vivo experiments, we induced colon tumors in mice by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and evaluated the effects of betaine on tumor growth. Administration with betaine significantly decreased the incidence of tumor formation with downregulation of inflammation. Treatment with betaine inhibited ROS generation and GSSG concentration in colonic mucosa. Based on the qPCR data, administration of betaine inhibited inflammatory cytokines such TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2. In in vitro experiments, LPS-induced NF-κB and inflammatory-related cytokines were inhibited by betaine treatment in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. Our findings suggest that betaine is one of the candidates for the prevention of inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azoxymethane
  • Betaine / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Line
  • Colitis / chemically induced*
  • Colitis / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Betaine
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Glutathione
  • Azoxymethane