Betaine suppressed Aβ generation by altering amyloid precursor protein processing

Neurol Sci. 2014 Jul;35(7):1009-13. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1630-y. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

Abstract

Betaine was an endogenous catabolite of choline, which could be isolated from vegetables and marine products. Betaine could promote the metabolism of homocysteine in healthy subjects and was used for hyperlipidemia, coronary atherosclerosis, and fatty liver in clinic. Recent findings shown that Betaine rescued neuronal damage due to homocysteine induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) like pathological cascade, including tau hyperphosphorylation and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition. Aβ was derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, and was a triggering factor for AD pathological onset. Here, we demonstrated that Betaine reduced Aβ levels by altering APP processing in N2a cells stably expressing Swedish mutant of APP. Betaine increased α-secretase activity, but decreased β-secretase activity. Our data indicate that Betaine might play a protective role in Aβ production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Betaine / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Homocysteine / drug effects
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Lipotropic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Lipotropic Agents
  • Homocysteine
  • Betaine
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases