The Effect of Betaine on Cerebellar Histological Alterations, Balance, Motor Function on Male Rats, an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis

One of the chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). Betaine has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of betaine on tissue changes of the cerebellum and motor activity in the experimental model of MS.

In this experimental research, 20 adult male rats (12-week-old) were divided into control, Ms, Ms+ betaine and betaine. To create the MS model, animals were fed food containing 0.5% cuprizone for 12 weeks. For treatment, betaine was given at a dose of 1% in drinking water for the last 6 weeks. At the end of period, in order to measure balance and motor coordination, rotarod, open field, and inverted grid tests were performed, and the cerebellum of the animals was studied in terms of histological alterations.

Motor activities and maintaining balance in the MS group showed a significant decrease compared to control group, while treatment with betaine improved these symptoms. In the histological studies, tissue changes in Purkinje cells, such as a decrease in the number, condensation and pyknosis of the nucleus, a decrease in the diameter of the cell body and the nucleus of these cells were seen in the MS group. While the MS group receiving betaine, the changes were clearly improved and the Purkinje cells were able to maintain their number and shape.

The betaine can be considered as an effective biomolecule in the process of nerve regeneration and improvement of motor behaviors in patients with MS.