Hoffman M Camille, Olincy Ann, D'Alessandro Angelo, Reisz Julie A, Hansen Kirk C, Hunter Sharon K, Freedman Robert, Ross Randal G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (MCH), Psychiatry (MCH, AO, SKH, RF, RGR and Biochemistry Molecular Genetics (AD'A, JAR, KCH), University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA.
J Nutr Intermed Metab. 2019 Jun;16. doi: 10.1016/j.jnim.2019.100094. Epub 2019 Mar 6.
Maternal phosphatidylcholine supplements have shown benefit in the development of the human fetal brain, as assessed both by newborn physiological measurements and by a related decrease in later childhood behavioral abnormalities. However, the relatively low choline component of phosphatidylcholine mandates high doses that are difficult for pregnant women to consume.
Betaine can substitute for some choline effects. The hypothesis was that betaine supplementation would significantly increase women's serum choline.
A three-arm crossover clinical trial was used to assess serum concentrations of choline after betaine supplements at two doses, in comparison with phosphatidylcholine supplementation. The effects of both a single dose and of one-week twice-daily doses were assessed in normal non-pregnant women.
Betaine supplements at two doses failed to increase serum choline concentrations after single administration or one-week twice-daily dosing. Phosphatidylcholine supplements raised choline concentrations after both single doses (mean change from baseline 8.34 ± 7.29 ng/ml, paired t = 3.24, df 7, p = 0.014, range 1-21 ng/ml, d' = 1.15) and one-week twice-daily doses (mean change from baseline 4.58 ± 3.68 ng/ml standard deviation; paired t = 3.51, df 7, p < 0.001, range 2-13 ng/ml, d' = 2.65). Betaine concentrations rose after both betaine and phosphatidylcholine supplementation.
Betaine supplements did not substitute for phosphatidylcholine supplements, which raise serum choline concentrations both after a single dose and after repeated administration. However, serum betaine concentrations did rise after both betaine and phosphatidylcholine consumption and, therefore, betaine may be a stable indicator of choline intake.
母体补充磷脂酰胆碱已显示出对人类胎儿大脑发育有益，这一点通过新生儿生理测量以及后期儿童行为异常相关减少得以评估。然而，磷脂酰胆碱中相对较低的胆碱成分要求高剂量服用，而这对孕妇来说难以做到。
甜菜碱可替代部分胆碱作用。假设是补充甜菜碱会显著提高女性血清胆碱水平。
采用三臂交叉临床试验，评估两种剂量的甜菜碱补充剂与磷脂酰胆碱补充剂相比，补充后血清胆碱浓度。在正常非孕妇中评估单次剂量和一周每日两次剂量的效果。
两种剂量的甜菜碱补充剂在单次给药或一周每日两次给药后均未能提高血清胆碱浓度。磷脂酰胆碱补充剂在单次剂量（与基线相比平均变化8.34±7.29纳克/毫升，配对t = 3.24，自由度7，p = 0.014，范围1 - 21纳克/毫升，d' = 1.15）和一周每日两次剂量（与基线相比平均变化4.58±3.68纳克/毫升标准差；配对t = 3.51，自由度7，p < 0.001，范围2 - 13纳克/毫升，d' = 2.65）后均提高了胆碱浓度。甜菜碱和磷脂酰胆碱补充后甜菜碱浓度均升高。
甜菜碱补充剂不能替代磷脂酰胆碱补充剂，后者在单次剂量和重复给药后均能提高血清胆碱浓度。然而，服用甜菜碱和磷脂酰胆碱后血清甜菜碱浓度均升高，因此，甜菜碱可能是胆碱摄入量的一个稳定指标。
