β-hydroxybutyrate: much more than a metabolite.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review detailing biological mechanisms without primary clinical data
PubMed 25193333 · doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2014.08.009
What was done
This paper presents a narrative review detailing the non-metabolic signaling functions of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) during fasting and exercise, alongside its role in gene regulation.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data. It notes that βOHB acts as an endogenous inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), serves as a ligand for at least two cell-surface receptors, and produces downstream metabolites (acetyl-CoA, succinyl-CoA, NAD+) that participate in cellular signaling to regulate gene expression.
Why it matters
Identifying βOHB as a signaling molecule expands the understanding of ketone biology, offering potential mechanistic links to the pathogenesis and treatment of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
Limits
The paper is a narrative review without primary empirical data, quantitative findings, sample sizes, or systematic study selection methodology.
Cited by
- supports Beta-hydroxybutyrate acts as a signaling molecule through cell-surface G-protein coupled receptors to produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.