Dose response of a novel exogenous ketone supplement on physiological, perceptual and performance parameters

Background

Interest into the health, disease, and performance impact of exogenous ketone bodies has rapidly expanded due to their multifaceted physiological and signaling properties but limiting our understanding is the isolated analyses of individual types and dose/dosing protocols.

Methods

Thirteen recreational male distance runners (24.8 ± 9.6 years, 72.5 ± 8.3 kg, VO_2max 60.1 ± 5.4 ml/kg/min) participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover design study. The first two sessions consisted of a 5-km running time trial familiarization and a VO_2max test. During subsequent trials, subjects were randomly assigned to one (KS1: 22.1 g) or two (KS2: 44.2 g) doses of beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) or flavor matched placebo (PLA). Blood R-βHB, glucose, and lactate concentrations were measured at baseline (0-min), post-supplement (30 and 60 min), post-exercise (+ 0 min, + 15 min). Time, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), affect, respiratory exchange ratio, oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production, and ventilation were measured during exercise. Cognitive performance was evaluated prior to and post-exercise.

Results

KS significantly increased R-βHB, with more potent and prolonged elevations in KS2, illustrating an administrative and dosing effect. R-βHB was significantly decreased in KS1 compared to KS2 illustrating a dosing and exercise interaction effect. Blood glucose elevated post-exercise but was unchanged across groups. Blood lactate significantly increased post-exercise but was augmented by KS administration. Gaseous exchange, respiration, HR, affect, RPE, and exercise performance was unaltered with KS administration. However, clear responders and none-responders were indicated. KS2 significantly augmented cognitive function in pre-exercise conditions, while exercise increased cognitive performance for KS1 and PLA to pre-exercise KS2 levels.

Conclusion

Novel βHB + MCT formulation had a dosing effect on R-βHB and cognitive performance, an administrative response on blood lactate, while not influencing gaseous exchange, respiration, HR, affect, RPE, and exercise performance.

Evaluation of the antioxidant effects of different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) after UVB exposure

BACKGROUND

To compare the protective effects of the histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), trichostatin A (TSA), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and valproic acid (VPA) on human lens epithelial cells(HLECs) following ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure.

METHODS

HLECs were divided into subgroups: four HDACi groups, a control group, a UVB-treated group and a DMSO group (cells treated with DMSO and UVB irradiation). In the HDACi groups, HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of HDACis 12 h prior to UVB irradiation. The protective effects of the HDACis were evaluated by assessing apoptosis rates, cell activity and expression levels of genes associated with apotosis (caspase-3, Bcl-2, BAX, SOD1, FOXO3A and MT2). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were detected in order to evaluate oxidative stress.

RESULTS

The results showed that SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) and TSA (0.2 μmol/L) had mild protective effects on cell viability. βOHB (4 mmol/L) and TSA (0.2 mol/L) demonstrated protective effects on BCL-2 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L) showed protective effects on SOD1 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L) and SAHA (1 μmol/L) suppressed BAX and caspase-3 expression. TSA (0.2 mol/L, 0.8 mol/L) and SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) suppressed the expression of FOXO3A and MT2. SOD levels were increased after treatment with βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (8 μmol/L) and TSA (0.1 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L). T-AOC levels were increased in UVB-treated HLECs after treatment with SAHA (2 μmol/L). MDA levels decreased in UVB-treated HLECs following treatment with TSA (0.2 mol/L, 0.8 mol/L). ROS levels decreased in UVB-treated HLECs following treatment with βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L) and TSA (0.2 mol/L). Western blotting results demonstrated that SOD1 levels significantly increased in the βOHB (4 mmol/L), SAHA (1 μmol/L, 2 μmol/L), TSA (0.1 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L) and VPA (5 mmol/L) groups. Only SAHA (1 μmol/L) had an anti-apoptotic effect on UVB-treated HLECs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that low concentrations of HDACis (1 μmol/L of SAHA) mildly inhibit oxidative stress, thus protecting HLECs from oxidation. These results may suggest that there is a possibility to explore the clinical applications of HDACis for treatment and prevention of cataracts.

Development and in vivo evaluation of a novel lyophilized formulation for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock

Hemorrhagic shock, caused by trauma, is a leading cause of preventable death. A combination treatment of d-β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and melatonin (MLT), in dimethyl sulfoxide - water, increased survival. A freeze-dried BHB-MLT formulation, with a short reconstitution time, has been developed. This intravenous formulation, prepared with an aqueous vehicle, completely eliminated dimethyl sulfoxide, thereby avoiding the potential problems associated with this solvent. The poor aqueous solubility of MLT necessitated the use of polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) as a complexing agent. Thus the prelyophilization solution contained BHB (2 M), MLT (21.5 mM) and PVP (40 mM). Using a combination of low-temperature X-ray diffractometry and thermal analysis, the lyophilization process parameters were optimized. Infra-red spectra revealed hydrogen bonding interaction between PVP and MLT, while BHB crystallized as BHB.0.25 H₂O in the final lyophile. The formulation improved survival in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. Based on the increase in rate of survival and longer survival time compared to untreated animals, we conclude that this formulation can serve as a promising first line of treatment for hemorrhagic shock.