Acute Effect of Dietary Ketones on Skeletal Muscle Energetics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acute dietary supplementation with s(R)-3-hydroxybutyl(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ketone ester (∆G™) and effect on skeletal muscle energetics in elderly individuals.
IRAS ID
228099
Contact name
Michael Frenneaux
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
The major sources of energy in the body are carbohydrates (sugars), fats, and proteins from the diet. Ketones represent another key energy source in the body, and are produced by the liver from the partial breakdown of fats. They are released into the bloodstream by the liver in response to many stressors within the body, such as during starvation, adherence to a low carb diet, or in some people with diabetes (diabetic ketoacidosis). Recent studies have shown that acute dietary supplementation with ketone bodies (dietary ketosis) during intense exercise in elite athletes improves the way in which muscles use energy during exercise, improving performance. This occurs by reducing inefficient glycolysis (use of sugars to power energy production) and increasing muscle fat use.
The mitochondria are the powerhouses of each cell in the body, and produce the molecule ATP, the chemical that powers all energy requiring processes. With age, the function of mitochondria is reduced, which impairs energy production in the body. Much in the same way that acute dietary ketosis can improve exercise performance in elite athletes, we seek to evaluate whether it will improve energy metabolism in otherwise healthy elderly individuals. We will investigate this by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called 31 phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS). Applied to imaging of skeletal (thigh) muscle, this technique allows us to evaluate the production of ATP by the muscle and therefore metabolic efficiency.
This is a single centre study in which otherwise healthy elderly individuals will be studied on a single occasion. For each participant, 31P MRS will be performed at study entry in order to establish a baseline measurement of skeletal muscle metabolic efficiency. Participants will then receive a liquid dietary ketone supplement (∆G™) and will be scanned again 30 minutes after the supplement to assess muscle metabolic efficiency.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0111
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion