Betaine protects human melanocytes from H2O2-induced dysfunction and degeneration

Betaine is a potent lipotropic nutrient widely distributed in several foods, involved in protecting various cells against multiple stressful conditions especially oxidative stress. In our study, we demonstrated for the first time that betaine supplementation promoted the proliferation and attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis and dysfunction in melanocytes through modulation of SCF/c-KIT, MITF, apoptosis, and MAPK pathways. Therefore, betaine might represent a promising therapeutic agent for vitiligo.

甜菜碱是一种强效趋脂营养素，广泛分布于多种食物中，可保护多种细胞抵御多种应激状态，尤以氧化应激为著。本研究首次证实，补充甜菜碱可通过调控SCF/c-KIT、MITF、细胞凋亡（apoptosis）及MAPK通路，促进黑素细胞增殖，并减轻H₂O₂诱导的黑素细胞凋亡与功能障碍。因此，甜菜碱有望成为治疗白癜风的极具潜力的候选治疗药物。