Objective        To study the effect of betaine on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in mice.       Methods        Thirty-six db/db mice were randomly divided into DN group (n=18) and betaine treatment group (n=18)

with 18 db/m mice served as a normal control group (NC group). At the end of 4

8 and 12 weeks

GRP78 expression level in the renal tissue was measured by real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blotting

urine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) concentration was assayed by ELISA

and dynamic renal pathology

blood glucose (BG)

serum creatinine (SCr)

blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

24-hour urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) were tested with routine pathological and biochemical methods.       Results        The BG

BUN

24-h UAER and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in DN group than in NC group (P0.05)

which became significantly lower after betaine treatment. However

betaine had no effect on Scr. The glomerular basement membrane was thicker

the number of mesangial cells was greater

and more mesangial matrix was accumulated in DN group than in NC group at 12 weeks (P0.05)

which were significantly alleviated after betaine treatment. The GRP78 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in DN group than in NC group (P0.05)

which became significantly lower after betaine treatment (P0.05).       Conclusion        Betaine can exert its effect on DN in db/db mice by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and related inflammatory reactions.