Ketone Ester Supplementation on Neuro-cardiovascular Responses to Stress in Humans

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Ketosis
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Dietary Supplement: D-beta-hydroxybutyrate

• Registration Number: NCT04881526
• Lead Sponsor: University of Guelph

Brief Summary

Ketone ester supplementation has become increasingly popular as an athletic supplement. However, the metabolic effects of these supplements on exercise performance are controversial. One potential reason for lack of an ergogenic benefit could be the effects of ketone bodies on other bodily systems, such as the sympathetic nervous system. During exercise and stress the body increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This causes blood vessels to constrict (get smaller) and can increase blood pressure. Studies have shown that ketone bodies can suppress the sympathetic nervous system in mice. Additionally, ketone ester supplementation can reduce blood pressure in healthy adults. In humans, direct measures of sympathetic activity are usually made from sympathetic outflow to muscle, also called muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Using a ketone ester supplement, the investigators plan to measure blood pressure and sympathetic outflow to muscle at rest and during handgrip exercise and a mathematical task stress test to investigate the effect of ketones on neuro-cardiovascular stress responses.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-05-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-05-05
• Study First Posted: 2021-05-11
• Study Start: 2021-06-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-10-01
• Study Completion: 2022-12-01
• Status Verified: 2023-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-09-20
• Last Update Posted: 2023-09-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 19

Inclusion Criteria

• 18 to 40 years of age
• Healthy, free of known cardiovascular, metabolic, or musculoskeletal disease

Exclusion Criteria

• History of smoking (within 3 months), diagnosed cardiovascular or metabolic disease, recent musculoskeletal injury preventing handgrip exercise, prescription of chronic medications other than oral contraceptives.
• Current or recent (within 6 months) use of ketone ester supplementation or participation in a ketogenic diet.
• Inability to abstain from drugs, caffeine, alcohol, or strenuous physical activity prior to the study visit.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo drink	Placebo	-
Ketone ester drink	D-beta-hydroxybutyrate	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity	Post-intervention - Immediately following active and control interventions	Microneurography of fibular nerve
Blood pressure	Post-intervention - Immediately following active and control interventions	Finger plethysmography

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Forearm blood flow	Post-intervention - Immediately following active and control interventions	Brachial artery Doppler ultrasound

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Guelph - Human Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory; 🇨🇦 Guelph, Ontario, Canada