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A study led by Dr. Matthew Nystoriak, associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), has uncovered groundbreaking findings on how ketones can improve blood flow to the heart. The research, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, focuses on the effects of a ketone body called β-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) on cardiac health.
β-Hydroxybutyrate is a molecule produced by the liver during fat breakdown, particularly during periods of fasting, exercise, or due to certain medications such as SGLT2 inhibitors, which are used in diabetes treatment. This study reveals that elevated levels of 3-OHB enhance blood flow to the heart, a phenomenon known as myocardial hyperemia.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., with ischemic heart disease—caused by inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart—being the primary cause of death worldwide. The discovery of how ketones improve blood flow offers promising new insights for treating heart disease and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Nystoriak, who recently joined MMRI, collaborated with researchers from the University of Louisville to investigate how heart muscle cells use 3-OHB as an energy source. The findings suggest that this energy source helps regulate and improve blood flow, potentially offering a therapeutic strategy to address the underlying causes of ischemic heart disease.
“Our research suggests that ketone body delivery to the heart could represent a promising strategy for improving oxygen delivery in patients with ischemic heart disease,” said Dr. Nystoriak. “It also underscores the potential of ketogenic approaches, such as lifestyle changes or targeted therapies, to enhance cardiovascular health.”
This study offers hope for the development of new heart disease treatments, emphasizing the importance of the heart’s ability to switch between various energy sources, including fats, sugars, and ketones, to ensure a steady blood and oxygen supply.
The study also involved a team of scientists from the University of Louisville, including Kara R. Gouwens, Ph.D., Yibing Nong, Ph.D., Ning Chen, Ph.D., Emily B. Schulman-Geltzer, Ph.D., Helen E. Collins, Ph.D., and Bradford G. Hill, Ph.D.
The full study can be found in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (2024), DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.321848.
