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

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 Ca(2+)-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.