Plasma fibronectin levels after chronic ethanol consumption: The effect of betaine

Abstract

Background: In this study, plasma fibronectin levels (PF) after long-term ethanol consumption were measured. The preventive effect of betaine, which is precursor of S-Adenosymethionine, were also examined. Methods: 24 rats were divided into three groups. Control group (n-8), ethanol group (8 g/kg/day;n=8), ethanol+betaine group (0.5 % w/v;n=8). Rats were killed after 60 days and fibronectin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured in the blood samples of the rats. Results: Plasma fibronectin levels in the ethanol (314±2 µg/ml) and ethanol+betaine group (266±2 µg/ml) were significantly higher than in the control group (146±1 µg/ml) (p