Betaine

Betaine is a quaternary ammonium compound with diverse biological activities. It has been found in spinach and can be acquired through the diet or formed via oxidation of betaine aldehyde (Cay-17270) during choline metabolism in the liver and kidney. Betaine has roles in osmoregulation and serves as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Betaine (1.5% w/v in drinking water) reduces serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, increases serum HDL levels, decreases serum LDL levels, and reduces hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a methionine- and choline-deficient diet. It also reduces plasma levels of total homocysteine (tHcy), S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy, Cay-13603), and cystathionine, and attenuates hypercoagulation in a mouse model of homocystinuria. Formulations containing betaine have been used in the treatment of homocystinuria.Formal Name: 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-methanaminium, inner salt. CAS Number: 107-43-7. Synonyms: Glycine Betaine, N,N,N-Trimethylglycine. Molecular Formula: C5H11NO2. Formula Weight: 117.1. Purity: >95%. Formulation: (Request formulation change), A crystalline solid. Solubility: PBS (pH 7.2): 10 mg/ml. SMILES: [O-]C(C[N+](C)(C)C)=O. InChi Code: InChI=1S/C5H11NO2/c1-6(2,3)4-5(7)8/h4H2,1-3H3. InChi Key: KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N.