Conclusions
The findings from this study demonstrate new evidence that CHDH activity in the spinal cord provides locally synthesized betaine for osmoregulation in SM pathophysiology.
Methods
A post-traumatic SM (PTSM) rat model and in vitro cellular models using rat astrocytes and HepG2 liver cells were utilized to investigate the role of betaine synthesis by CHDH. Additionally, the osmotic contributions of betaine were evaluated using a combination of experimental as well as simulation approaches.
Results
In the PTSM injured spinal cord CHDH expression was observed in cells surrounding syrinxes. We next found that rat astrocytes and HepG2 cells were capable of synthesizing betaine via CHDH under osmotic stress in vitro to maintain osmoregulation. Finally, our experimental and simulation approaches showed that betaine was capable of directly increasing meaningful osmotic pressure. Conclusions: The findings from this study demonstrate new evidence that CHDH activity in the spinal cord provides locally synthesized betaine for osmoregulation in SM pathophysiology.
Supplementary Information
The online version of this article contains supplementary material available 10.1007/s12195-022-00749-5.