Effects of Betaine on the $CCI_4$-Induced Toxicity in Primary Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

일차 배양한 흰쥐의 간세포에서 사염화탄소로 인한 독성에 미치는 비테인의 효과

Betaine, a major component of Lycii Fructus, was evaluated for its anti-hepatotoxic activity on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Betaine was found to attenuate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity both morphologically and biochemically. Typical hepatocyte necrosis due to carbon tetrachloride seemed to be reduced by 50 to 500 $\mu{M}$ of betaine under microscopical observation. The value of glutamic pyruvic transaminase released from the hepatocytes into the medium significantly decreased as betaine concentration increased. Betaine also significantly elevated the reduced activities of some enzymes, cytochrome P-450, 7-ethoxycoumarin-0-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase, involved in xenobiotic metabolism due to carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. These results demonstrate a possible hepato-protective role of betaine against fatty liver that could be easily induced by carbon tetrachloride.