Effects of betaine supplementation on inflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Several studies have suggested that betaine is closely related to inflammatory biomarkers that contribute to the development of metabolic diseases, but the effect remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of betaine supplementation on inflammatory markers based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Web of Science and ResearchGate databases were searched up to March 2023. A total of 6 RCTs with 7 intervention trials involving 277 participants were included. Betaine supplementation led to a slight reduction in levels of circulating IL-1β of 0.65 pg/mL (95% CI, −1.23 to −0.06) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 95%). Betaine produced a small but nonsignificant reduction in levels of circulating CRP (0.33 mg/L; 95% CI, −1.79 to 1.14), IL-6 (0.47 pg/mL; 95% CI, −1.13 to 0.18) and TNF-α (0.25 pg/mL; 95% CI, −0.98 to 0.48). The present meta-analysis does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that betaine supplementation improved the inflammation state.</p

Fragmentation of DNA from control corn (CC) and phytase transgenic corn (PTC).

<p>(a) The endogenous gene (226 bp) of corn for <i>ivr</i> (left), (b) The exogenous gene (678 bp) of PTC for <i>phy</i>A2 (right). Arrows indicate the expected length of PCR products. M = marker; Lanes 1 = CC; lanes 2 = PTC; Lanes 3 = CC diet; lanes 4 = PTC diet; − = negative control (no DNA).</p

Primers and PCR conditions used for the detection of target genes in laying hens digesta, blood, tissues, and eggs samples.

1<p>PCR conditions for <i>ivr</i> F & R included 1 cycle at 95°C for 5 min, 40 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, down to 61.5°C for 45 s and back up to 72°C for 45 s and 1 cycle of 72°C for 10 min; <i>phy</i>A2-F & R; 1 cycle at 94°C for 5 min, 40 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, down to 61.5°C for 45 s and back up to 72°C for 45 s and 1 cycle of 72°C for 10 min; <i>ov</i>-F & R; 1 cycle at 94°C for 3 min, 35 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, down to 55°C for 30 s and back up to 72°C for 45 s and 1 cycle of 72°C for 10 min.</p

Composition of the diets (as-fed basis).

1<p>CC = control corn; PTC = phytase transgenic corn.</p>2<p>Provided per kilogram of diet: vitamin A, 12,200 IU; vitamin D3, 4,125 IU; vitamin E, 30 IU; vitamin K, 4.5 mg; thiamine, 1 mg; riboflavin, 8.5 mg; calcium pantothenate, 50 mg; niacin, 32.5 mg; pyridoxine, 8 mg; biotin, 2 mg; folic acid, 5 mg; vitamin B12, 5 mg; manganese, 80 mg; iodine, 1 mg; iron, 60 mg; copper, 8 mg; zinc, 80 mg; selenium, 0.3 mg.</p>3<p>Calculated values.</p>4<p>Determined values.</p

Western blot detection of the <i>phy</i>A2 protein in corn, diet, digesta, blood, tissues, and eggs of laying hens fed diets containing control corn (CC) and phytase transgenic corn (PTC) for 16 weeks¹.

1<p>Number of samples that tested positive for the <i>phy</i>A2 protein out of 8 samples analyzed. One sample was tested per laying hen (n = 8 laying hens per treatment).</p>2<p>Percentage of samples positive for the <i>phy</i>A2 protein taken from PTC fed laying hens i.e. (number of positive samples/number of samples tested)×100.</p

Western blot identification of <i>phy</i>A2 protein in gastrointestinal digesta of laying hens fed diet phytase transgenic corn for 16 weeks.

<p>“+” Positive control (GM corn); lane 1, crop contents; lane 2, gizzard contents; lane 3, duodenal contents; lane 4, jejunum contents; lane 5, ileum contents; lane 6, cecal contents; lane 7, rectal contents.</p

Performance and egg quality of laying hens fed diets containing control corn (CC) and phytase transgenic corn (PTC) for 16 weeks¹.

1<p>Data are expressed as mean ± SD (<i>n</i> = 8).</p>a,b<p>Means within a row with no common superscripts differ significantly (<i>P</i><0.05).</p

Detection of the transgenic <i>phy</i>A2 gene in corn, diet, digesta, tissues, blood, and eggs of laying hens fed diets containing control corn (CC) and phytase transgenic corn (PTC) for 16 weeks¹.

1<p>Number of samples that tested positive for the <i>phy</i>A2 gene out of 8 samples analyzed. One sample was tested per laying hen (n = 8 laying hens per treatment).</p>2<p>Percentage of samples positive for the <i>phy</i>A2 gene taken from PTC fed laying hens i.e. (number of positive samples/number of samples tested)×100.</p

The PCR products from the tissues of laying hens fed diets containing control corn (CC) and phytase transgenic corn (PTC) for 16 weeks.

<p>(a) The endogenous gene (396 bp) of poultry for <i>ov</i> (left), (b) The exogenous gene (678 bp) of PTC for <i>phy</i>A2 (right). Arrows indicate the expected length of PCR products. M = marker; Lanes 1∼6 = blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, breast muscle of CC-fed laying hens (control); lanes 7∼12 = blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, breast muscle of PTC-fed laying hens; − = negative control (no DNA).</p

Ullmann-Type Intramolecular C–O Reaction Toward Thieno[3,2‑<i>b</i>]furan Derivatives with up to Six Fused Rings

A new strategy for the efficient synthesis of thieno­[3,2-<i>b</i>]­benzofuran derivatives (15 examples) was achieved on the basis of successive regioselective intermolecular Suzuki and newly developed intramolecular Ullmann C–O reactions in up to a 70% overall yield. The fast intramolecular C–O reaction can be realized by an efficient catalytic combination of CuI/1,10-phenanthroline in up to a 97% yield. This method is suitable for the construction of highly fused thieno­[3,2-<i>b</i>]­furan-containing heterocycles including <b>DTBDF</b> and <b>TTDBF</b>. The π–π and hydrogen-bonding interactions observed for the <b>C</b>_<b>8</b><b>-DTBDF</b> single crystal suggest its great potential for OFET applications in the near future