Alleviation of dietary cirrhosis with betaine and other lipotropic agents

Abstract

Supplementary betaine (as the hydrate, 0.63%) had a marked curative effect on cirrhosis of dietary origin. Male rats fed a hypolipotropic diet (protein 9%, provided as 6% extracted peanut meal, 6% soy protein) developed cirrhotic lesions of moderate severity in 4–6 months (established by laparotomy); 11 treatment diets were fed for about 7 months. The previously reported therapeutic effects of supplementary choline, methionine, or high protein were confirmed under new dietary conditions.