BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism.MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

Objective : To investigate the role of dapagliflozin ( DAPA) in ox⁃LDL⁃induced pyroptosis of human myeloid leukemia monocytes (THP⁃1) derived foam cells . Methods : THP⁃1 ⁃derived foam cell pyroptosis model was constructed by ox⁃LDL⁃induced THP⁃1derived macrophages . The experimental groups were set as follows : the blank control group(NC) , the ox⁃LDL group(ox⁃LDL) , and the drug intervention group(ox⁃LDL + DAPA) . Oil Red Ostaining was used to detect the foam cell levels of macrophages . The cell proliferation and toxicity assay kit was used to detect the effect of DAPA on foam cell viability . Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide(PI) double staining was used to detect THP⁃1 derived foam cell pyroptosis . Cell immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the effect of DAPA on the expression of pyroptosis key factor Caspase⁃1 in foam cells . The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell culture medium was detected using a microplate enzyme⁃linked immunosorbent assay. qRT⁃PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nod⁃like receptor pyrindomain containing 3 (NLRP3) , cystein⁃containing aspartate⁃specific protease⁃1( Caspase⁃1 ) , apoptosis⁃associated⁃speck⁃like protein containing CARD(ASC) ,gasdermin⁃D (GSDMD) , interleukin(IL) Ⅳ18 and IL⁃1β , respectively . Results : The CCK⁃8 assay indicated that the optimal intervention concentration of DAPA was 10 μmol/L. Oil Red O staining confirmed the successful construction of the THP⁃1 ⁃derived foam cell pyroptosis model . Compared with the blank control group , the expression levels of NLRP3 , Caspase⁃1 , ASC , GSDMD , IL⁃18 , IL⁃1β mRNA and protein significantly increased in ox⁃LDL group(P < 0. 05) , as well as the number of PI⁃positive cells and LDH activity(P < 0. 05) , the fluorescence intensity of Caspase⁃1 and the number of redlipid droplets in the cytoplasm of the cells . However , these effects were significantly reversed after DAPA intervention in the ox⁃LDL + DAPA group(P < 0. 05) . Conclusion DAPA inhibits ox⁃LDL⁃induced pyroptosis in THP⁃1 ⁃derived foam cells .