Betaine is a natural compound found in plants and animals with bioactive properties that help cells tolerate environmental stress. Studies in rats and humans have shown it has anti-inflammatory properties and can support gut health including barrier integrity. While its benefits for humans and livestock are well-known, its effects on pets are less studied. This study investigated how betaine affects gut health and immunity in dogs, using a cell model approach. The results indicated that administration of betaine to dog intestinal cells and to macrophages (a type of immune cell) under conditions of inflammation (provided by stimulation with an endotoxin called lipopolysaccharide) increased anti-inflammatory markers and fortified the gut barrier by increasing the level of proteins required to maintain gut barrier intact. The phagocytic activity (capacity to eliminate pathogens, foreign particles, and cellular debris) of macrophages was also increased by betaine, suggesting an enhanced immune response. These results suggest that betaine could have potential as an effective supplement in the diets of companion animals for supporting gut health and immunity.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.