Evaluation of the Effect of Betaine on Histomorphometry and Oxidative Index of Endocrine Tissue of Pituitary Gland in Rats Fed with High-Calorie Diet

Betaine has improving role in adipose tissue function and insulin activity. On the other hand, a highcalorie diet has complex effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betaine on pituitary histomorphometry and oxidative index of rats fed with high-calorie diet.

24 wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of control, fed with standard food, obesity with 10 weeks of feeding with high-calorie diet and then intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (20 mg/kg), obesity/betaine with 10 weeks of feeding with high-calorie diet, intraperitoneal streptozotocin, and then oral betaine for 28 days, and betaine with oral betaine for 28 days. At the end of the study, the histomorphometric structure of the pituitary glands [using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)] and oxidative stress indices such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) [using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]were evaluated.

Body weight, blood sugar, insulin level, and insulin resistance index increased significantly in the obese group compared to the control group. The number of acidophilic and basophilic cells in the peripheral and central parts of the posterior pituitary gland decreased in the obese group. Serum levels of SOD, GPX, and catalase showed a significant increase in the obese group compared to the control group and in obese/betaine group compared to the obese group. Serum MDA levels increased in the obese group compared to the control group, and decreased in the obese/betaine group in compared to the obese group.

It is seems that betaine consumption had beneficial and protective effects on the pituitary gland and antioxidant capacity in rat fed with high-calorie diet, by reducing insulin resistance, reducing oxidative stress, and improving the pituitary tissue structure.