甜菜碱的渗透压调节作用与动物肠道健康

甜菜碱是甘氨酸的三甲基衍生物，是广泛存在于动植物体内的一种代谢产物。在植物体内甜菜碱被合成和积蓄作为渗透压保护剂，用以缓解高盐、高温应激。在动物体内甜菜碱是由胆碱氧化而来或者由食物中摄取。甜菜碱具有两极两性离子特征，因此具有渗透压保护特性。在发生腹泻、球虫病的猪、禽饲料中添加甜菜碱，具有缓解肠道渗透压激变的效果。研究表明，日粮中添加甜菜碱可以提高某些养分的吸收利用率，并能改善胴体品质。

The Relationship between Osmotic Regulation of Betaine and Animal Intestinal Tract Health

Betaine, the trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine, is a metabolite of plant and animal tis- sues. In plants, betaine is particularly synthesised and accumulated as an osmoprotectant against salt and tempera- ture stress. In animals, betaine is the product of choline oxidation or it originates from nutritional sources. Due to its characteristics of a dipolar zwitterion, betaine shows osmoprotective properties. Betaine can protect against osmotic stress, when supplementation in pigs and poultry during diarrhoea or coccidiosis. There is also some evidence that dietary betaine may improve the digestibility of specific nutrients and carcass quality.