Effects of betaine hydrochloride supplementation on hepatic gene expression in Holstein steers fed a high-concentrate diet

Abstract

This study investigated hepatic gene expression in Holstein steers fed a high-concentrate diet to explore the effects of betaine hydrochloride (BH) supplementation on metabolism and the potential underlying mechanisms. Using a crossover-design study with a washout period between treatments, four steers were switched from a high-forage diet to a high-grain diet with or without BH supplementation. Transcriptomic analysis of liver tissue on day 4 after the dietary shift revealed the upregulation of DYRK4 and SLURP1 and the downregulation of GAL, GREM1, ENHO, CHGA, HSPB7, SULT2B1, THY1, GPX3, and APOE following BH supplementation. Changes in the expression of these genes suggest that BH modulates gene expressions related to lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, hepatic fibrosis, inflammation, and heat stress responses.