Year: 2024 | Month: February | Volume: 14 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 62-69
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240208
Prospective study on safety and efficacy of trimethylglycine in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with or without fibrosis
Dhaval Dalal1, Puneet Jain2, Susanna Jose Puthenpurayil3
1Department of General Medicine, Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Institute, Thane, Maharashtra, India,
2Department of General Medicine, Ramsnehi Hospital, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India
3Department of Medical Research, Bhaktivedanta Hospital and Research Institute, Thane, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Dr Susanna Jose Puthenpurayil
ABSTRACT
Recognized as a prominent contributor to liver-related morbidity and mortality, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) holds significance due to its potential progression to cirrhosis and liver failure. Scientific literature indicates that dietary supplements containing betaine, a naturally occurring chemical compound, demonstrate efficacy in reducing hepatic fat accumulation. The primary objective of our study is to assess the impact of trimethylglycine (TMG) in patients diagnosed with NAFLD, with or without fibrosis.
Methods: Approval for this study was obtained from the local ethics committee, and participants were enrolled based on a diagnosis of NAFLD. This hospital-based interventional investigation involved 244 NAFLD patients, aiming to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TMG. Trimethylglycine, administered orally, consisted of 2 sachets TDS (three times a day) for 1 month, followed by 1 sachet TDS for the subsequent 2 months (each sachet containing 3 gm Betaine). Ultrasonography with elastography was conducted on NAFLD subjects before and after trimethylglycine treatment to assess liver grade, stiffness, and spleen size.
Results: Significant positive correlations were identified between BMI and ultrasonography with elastography parameters, including spleen size (p value = 0.002), liver stiffness (p value < 0.001), and visceral fat thickness (p value < 0.001). Abdominal circumference also exhibited positive correlations with spleen size (p value = 0.020), liver stiffness (p value = 0.002), and visceral fat thickness (p value < 0.001).
Conclusions: These findings suggest a crucial role for betaine in the treatment of NAFLD. However, further validation of its effectiveness is imperative through extensive, multicenter randomized studies.
Key words: betaine, trimethylglycine (TMG), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), SAM (S-adenosyl-L-methionine), metabolic disease