Dietary Substances Not Required in Human Metabolism
Luke Bucci in Nutrients as Ergogenic Aids for Sports and Exercise, 2020
In addition, many compounds are available that have not been tested by academic researchers. A partial list of such compounds includes α-ketoacids, ascorbyl palmitate, ATP, various individual or mixtures of individual amino acids, betaine (commonly referred to as trimethylglycine or TMG), boron, camosine, chlorophyll, cytochrome c, citrulline malate, colloidal silicates, dihydroepiandrostendione (DHEA), 6-keto-diosgenin, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), glutathione, glandulars (dried raw animal organs), glycosaminoglycans, numerous herbs, lactate, lipoic acid (thioctic acid), NAD, pantetheine, pyruvate, plant sterols (e.g., ß-sitosterol), various protein hydrolysates, sarcosine, somatomedins, vanadium salts, various citric acid cycle intermediates, and almost any metabolic intermediate compound found in the human body. Each has a theoretical rationale for use, regardless of relevance to reality.
Perioperative Metabolic Therapies in Orthopedics
Kohlstadt Ingrid, Cintron Kenneth in Metabolic Therapies in Orthopedics, Second Edition, 2018
S-adensosylmethionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring combination of the amino acid methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is a methyl donor and inhibits synthesis of proinflammatory interleukens and TNF-alpha. It upregulates proteoglycan synthesis and the proliferation rate of chondrocytes, promoting cartilage formation and repair in doses ranging from 400 to 1600 mg/day in divided doses. In a double-blind crossover study at 1200 mg/day compared with celecoxib (200 mg), it had the same efficacy and a lower incidence of side effects over a 2-month period.103 Other research has shown similar or better efficacy with fewer side effects at 8–12 weeks compared with naproxen,102 indomethacin,105 ibuprofen,104 and nabumetone.106 It can also elevate mood and help with anxiety. Supportive nutrients such as B6, B12, folate, and trimethylglycine may be given simultaneously in the presence of elevated homocysteine(Hcy) and monitor Hcy levels if recommending higher doses of SAMe for more than 3 months as it can theoretically drive serum levels above recommended normals.
Fatty Liver Disease
David Heber, Zhaoping Li in Primary Care Nutrition, 2017
Betaine (trimethylglycine) is a key nutrient for humans that is similar in function to choline and can be obtained from a variety of foods and nutritional supplements (Purohit et al. 2007). In the liver, betaine can transfer one methyl group to homocysteine to form methionine. This process removes toxic metabolites (homocysteine and S-adenosylhomocysteine), restores SAM levels, reverses steatosis, prevents apoptosis, and reduces both damaged protein accumulation and oxidative stress (Kharbanda et al. 2007; Kharbanda 2009). Betaine also appears to attenuate alcoholic steatosis by restoring phosphatidylcholine generation via the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase pathway (Kharbanda et al. 2007). Studies suggest that betaine offers hepatic protection against ethanol-induced oxidative stress by decreasing sulfur-containing amino acid breakdown as well (Kim et al. 2008). Betaine supplementation is promising, but there are further clinical studies needed.
A Simple Whole-Blood Polymerase Chain Reaction without DNA Extraction for Thalassemia Diagnosis
Published in Hemoglobin, 2018
Wibhasiri Srisuwan, Thanusak Tatu
Heme liberated from Hb has been proven to be a potent PCR inhibitor by direct inactivation of the thermostable DNA polymerase [6]. This is why the traditional PCR reaction was not possible when adding whole blood directly into the reaction. Al-Soud et al. [6] and Kreader [19] demonstrated that adding BSA or betaine to the reaction mixtures significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of blood. Thus, BSA and betaine were tested in this study, and betaine was found to be the best PCR facilitator in the presence of whole blood compared to BSA. Naturally, betaine is a polyglycine compound (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) [20]. It has been utilized to enhance amplification of GC-rich DNA template, due to its ability to reduce formation of secondary structures [21]. In whole-blood PCR, betaine may absorb heme, hence, removing the inhibitory effect of heme on DNA polymerase [6].
Comparison of the relative stability of pharmaceutical cocrystals consisting of paracetamol and dicarboxylic acids
Published in Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2018
Naoto Suzuki, Masatoshi Kawahata, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Toyofumi Suzuki, Kazuo Tomono, Toshiro Fukami
However, selecting the most suitable coformer as the developed API form can be difficult. Generally, novel cocrystals are explored using a screening method with numerous candidate coformers. If several cocrystals are obtained from this method, the most reasonable cocrystal is selected in terms of marketability for drug development. The physicochemical stability of cocrystals is one of the judgment criteria for development. Ensuring the physical stability of the cocrystals is essential because the APIs can be exposed to various severe conditions (high temperature and/or humidity) during production and are required to remain stable in their dosage form under ambient conditions until their expiration date. Thus, selecting more stable cocrystals is quite important in the screening process for successful productization. In the previous result of the cocrystal screening, paracetamol (APAP) cocrystals with maleic acid (MLA), and oxalic acid (OXA) were discovered in addition to that with trimethylglycine [11]. The APAP cocrystals were detected in combination with two dicarboxylic acids: novel MLA and previously known OXA [12] as coformers. However, number of already known APAP is not many, though APAP is typically neutral API with simple chemical structure including amide group.
Betaine Supplementation Moderately Increases Total Cholesterol Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2021
Emilia E. Zawieja, Bogna Zawieja, Agata Chmurzynska
Betaine (trimethylglycine) is a methyl derivative of the amino acid glycine (Craig 2004). It can be found naturally in food, including wheat bran, wheat germ, spinach, beets, wheat bread, and shellfish (Zeisel et al. 2003). In the human body, betaine can be derived from choline oxidation which occurs in the kidneys and liver. The physiological function of betaine is as an organic osmolyte to protect cells under stress and as a source of methyl groups in many biological pathways (Craig 2004). The majority of studies on betaine have focused on its ability to promote health. A one-year study showed that betaine at 20 g/d led to significant biochemical and histologic improvement in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (Abdelmalek et al. 2001).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Betaine
- Choline
- Demethylation
- Dimethylglycine
- Food Processing
- Sucrose
- Amino Acid
- Indication
- Zwitterion
- Quaternary Ammonium Cation