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Betaine - the Dark Knight of the brain
  • +2
  • Manan Bhatt,
  • Angela Di Iacovo,
  • Tiziana Romanazzi,
  • Cristina Roseti,
  • Elena Bossi
Manan Bhatt
University of Insubria

Corresponding Author:mbhatt@uninsubria.it

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Angela Di Iacovo
University of Insubria
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Tiziana Romanazzi
University of Insubria
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Cristina Roseti
University of Insubria
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Elena Bossi
University of Insubria
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Abstract

The role of betaine in the liver and kidney has been well documented, even from the cellular and molecular point of view. Despite literature reporting positive effects of betaine supplementation in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Schizophrenia, the role and function of betaine in the brain are little studied and reviewed. Beneficial effects of betaine in neurodegeneration, excitatory and Inhibitory imbalance, and oxidative stress in the central nervous system have been collected and analyzed with the aim of understanding the main role of betaine in the brain. There are many “dark” aspects needed to complete the picture. The understanding of how this osmolyte is transported across neuron and glial cells is also controversial, as the expression levels and functioning of the known protein capable to transport betaine expressed in the brain, betaine-GABA transporter 1 BGT-1, is itself not well clarified. The reported actions of betaine beyond BGT-1 related to neuronal degeneration and memory impairment are the focus of this work. With this review, we underline the scarcity of detailed molecular and cellular information about betaine action. Consequently, the requirement of detailed focus on and study of the interaction of this molecule with CNS components to sustain the therapeutic use of betaine.
15 Nov 2022Submitted to Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
16 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
16 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
17 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
20 Jan 20231st Revision Received
23 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
23 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
27 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept