β-Hydroxybutyrate Elicits Favorable Mitochondrial Changes in Skeletal Muscle

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2018-08, Vol.19 (8), p.2247
• Main Authors: Parker, Brian A, Walton, Chase M, Carr, Sheryl T, Andrus, Jacob L, Cheung, Eric C K, Duplisea, Michael J, Wilson, Esther K, Draney, Carrie, Lathen, Daniel R, Kenner, Kyle B, Thomson, David M, Tessem, Jeffery S, Bikman, Benjamin T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid - pharmacology; Animals; Ceramides - metabolism; Electron transport; Hydrogen peroxide; Ketones; Ketosis; Mice; Mitochondria; Mitochondria, Muscle - metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal - cytology; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscles; Musculoskeletal system; Myotubes; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; Skeletal muscle
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082247

The clinical benefit of ketosis has historically and almost exclusively centered on neurological conditions, lending insight into how ketones alter mitochondrial function in neurons. However, there is a gap in our understanding of how ketones influence mitochondria within skeletal muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the specific effects of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) on muscle cell mitochondrial physiology. In addition to increased cell viability, murine myotubes displayed beneficial mitochondrial changes evident in reduced H₂O₂ emission and less mitochondrial fission, which may be a result of a β-HB-induced reduction in ceramides. Furthermore, muscle from rats in sustained ketosis similarly produced less H₂O₂ despite an increase in mitochondrial respiration and no apparent change in mitochondrial quantity. In sum, these results indicate a general improvement in muscle cell mitochondrial function when β-HB is provided as a fuel.