DMG

(Di Methyl Glycine)
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Clinical Studies
References


Dimethylglycine may be used to improve speech and behaviour in autism, for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to improve neurological function and for epilepsy. It may also be beneficial in reducing physical and environmental stress, improve oxygen utilization, enhance liver function and optimize athletic performance. Other uses include as an anti-inflammatory and for anti-aging effects.

Dimethylglycine may be used to improve the immune response and to enhance anti-viral (hepatitis), anti-bacterial and anti-tumor defenses. It may also be used for chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies, respiratory disorders, alcoholism and drug addiction. Dimethylglycine may be helpful to lower blood cholesterol, high homocysteine levels and triglycerides, and to help normalize blood pressure and blood glucose and in atherosclerosis.

 


 

Published Clinical Studiesclin

Autism, an extreme challenge to integrative medicine. Part 2: medical management.1

Kidd PM.

 

Autism and allied autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) present myriad behavioral, clinical, and biochemical abnormalities. Parental participation, advanced testing protocols, and eclectic treatment strategies have driven progress toward cure. Behavioral modification and structured education are beneficial but insufficient. Dietary restrictions, including removal of milk and other casein dairy products, wheat and other gluten sources, sugar, chocolate, preservatives, and food coloring are beneficial and prerequisite to benefit from other interventions. Individualized IgG or IgE testing can identify other troublesome foods but not non-immune mediated food sensitivities. Gastrointestinal improvement rests on controlling Candida and other parasites, and using probiotic bacteria and nutrients to correct dysbiosis and decrease gut permeability. Detoxification of mercury and other heavy metals by DMSA/DMPS chelation can have marked benefit. Documented sulfoxidation-sulfation inadequacies call for sulfur-sulfhydryl repletion and other liver p450 support. Many nutrient supplements are beneficial and well tolerated, including dimethylglycine (DMG) and a combination of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and magnesium, both of which benefit roughly half of ASD cases. Vitamins A, B3, C, and folic acid; the minerals calcium and zinc; cod liver oil; and digestive enzymes, all offer benefit. Secretin, a triggering factor for digestion, is presently under investigation. Immune therapies (pentoxifyllin, intravenous immunoglobulin, transfer factor, and colostrum) benefit selected cases. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids offer great promise. Current pharmaceuticals fail to benefit the primary symptoms and can have marked adverse effects. Individualized, in-depth clinical and laboratory assessments and integrative parent-physician-scientist cooperation are the keys to successful ASD management.

Publication Types:

PMID: 12495373 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

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Immunomodulating properties of dimethylglycine in humans.2

Graber CD, Goust JM, Glassman AD, Kendall R, Loadholt CB.

 

Dimethylglycine (DMG), a tertiary amino acid, has had wide acceptance as a nonfuel nutrient; presumably it enhances oxygen utilization by tissue and complexes free radicals. Its potential as an immunoadjuvant has also been suggested by a study of an analog of DMG, calcium pangamate. A double-blind study in 20 human volunteers showed a fourfold increase in antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine in those receiving DMG orally as compared with controls (P less than 0.01). Production of leukocyte inhibitory factor in response to concanavalin A was similar in the two groups, but those taking DMG tablets had a significantly highr mean response of leukocyte inhibition factor to streptokinase-streptodornase (P less than 0.001). The in vitro responses of lymphocytes from patients with diabetes and those with sickle cell disease to phytohemagglutinin, convanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen were increased almost threefold after addition of DMA. These results suggest that DMG enhances both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in humans.

Publication Types:

PMID: 6163829 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

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Effect of dimethylglycine on gastric ulcers in rats.3

Hariganesh K, Prathiba J.

 

Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka, India.

Dimethylglycine is an anti-stress nutrient with antioxidant properties. Recently, studies have implicated the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals and lipid peroxidation as one of the mechanisms in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcer. Hence, we evaluated the antiulcer activity of dimethylglycine in various rat models of ulcer and also investigated the probable antioxidant mechanism of the anti-ulcer effect. Dimethylglycine at a dose of 25 and 35 mg kg(-1) significantly reduced ulcer number, ulcer size and ulcer index in pyloric-ligation-, ibuprofen- and stress-induced ulcers. The 35 mg kg(-1) dose was more effective than 25 mg kg(-1) and was comparable to famotidine. Dimethylglycine did not produce any significant change in acid secretion, unlike famotidine. There was a significant increase in plasma and tissue malondialdehyde levels in pyloric-ligated rats but these levels fell following dimethylglycine treatment. Also, there was a significant reduction in glutathione levels after dimethylglycine treatment. The results suggest that the gastroprotective effect of dimethylglycine could be mediated by its free radical scavenging activity and cytoprotection of gastric mucosa.

PMID: 11197081 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

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Referencesref

  1. Tonda ME, Hart LL. N,N-dimthylglycine and L-carnitine as performance enhancers in athletes. Ann Pharmacother 1992;26:935-7.
  2. Ward TN, Smith EB, Reeves AG. Dimethylglycine and reduction of mortality in penicillin-induced seizures [letter]. Ann Neurol 1985;17(2):213.
  3. Freed WJ. N,N-dimethylglycine, betaine and seizures [letter]. Arch Neurol 1984;41:1129-30.
  4. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Englewood, CO: MICROMEDEX Inc.
  5. Herbert V. N,N-dimethylglycine for epilepsy [letter]. N Engl J Med 1983;308:527-8.
  6. Weiss RC. Immunologic responses in healthy random-source cats fed N,N-dimethylglycine-supplemented diets. Am J Vet Res 1992;53(5):829-33.
  7. Bolman WM, Richmond JA. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial of low dose dimethylglycine in patients with autistic disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 1999;29(3):191-4.
  8. Gray ME, Titlow LW. The effect of pangamic acid on maximal treadmill performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982;14(6):424-7.
  9. Reap EA, Lawson JW. Stimulation of the immune response by dimethylglycine, a nontoxic metabolite. J Lab Clin Med 1990;115(4):481-6.
  10. Roach ES, Carlin L. N,N dimethylglycine for epilepsy [letter]. N Engl J Med 1982;307:1081-2.
  11. Graber CD, Goust JM, Glassman AD, et al. Immunomodulating properties of dimethylglycine in humans. J Infect Dis 1981;143(1):101-5.
  12. Kendall RV. Comment: N,N-dimethylglycine and L-carnitine as performance enhancers in athletes [letter]. Ann Pharmacother 1994;28:973.
  13. Freed WJ. Prevention of strychnine-induced seizures and death by the N-methylated glycine derivatives betaine, dimethylglycine and sarcosine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1985;22(4):641-3.
  14. Gascon G, Patterson B, Yearwood K, Slotnick H. N,N-dimethylglycine and epilepsy. Epilepsia 1989;30(1):90-3.