RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effect of Ketone Monoesters on Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis and Whole-body Protein Metabolism.

This study is investigating if a drink containing a 'ketone monoester', taken with protein, can help build and repair muscles in healthy young people. Ketones are usually made by your body when you haven't eaten for a while, acting as an energy source. These ketone drinks can quickly raise ketone levels in your blood, similar to fasting for several days, but without needing to change your diet a lot. We want to understand if these higher ketone levels, alongside protein, can encourage muscles to grow and recover, potentially leading to better muscle health. This research could help us find new ways to keep muscles strong and healthy as we age or recover from injury.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Exeter

Enrolment target

Start

04 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2027

Healthy Participants

What is this study about?

Imagine your body usually runs on sugar for energy. But when there isn't much sugar, like when you've been fasting, your body can switch to burning something else called 'ketones'. One important ketone is called 'beta-hydroxybutyrate' (BHB). It's not just a fuel; it also sends messages around your body, influencing different things, including your muscles.

Scientists have developed special drinks called 'ketone monoesters' (KEs) that can quickly raise the level of BHB in your blood. This is like tricking your body into thinking it's been fasting for a few days, but without actually having to go without food. We already know that protein is super important for building and repairing muscles. This study wants to find out if combining these ketone drinks with protein can give your muscles an extra boost to grow and recover even better. This would be a really exciting finding, as it could help people maintain or improve their muscle strength and quality.

To do this, we'll give healthy young adults either a ketone and protein drink, or just a control drink. We'll then carefully measure how their muscles respond, looking at how quickly they build new protein. This will involve some special tests, like using harmless markers that help us track how amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are being used in the body. By understanding how ketones affect muscles when combined with protein intake, this research will help us learn more about how our bodies work and potentially discover new ways to keep our muscles strong and healthy.

Key takeaways

This study explores how a special ketone drink and protein affect muscle growth.
It aims to find new ways to keep muscles healthy and strong.
Participation involves healthy adults aged 18-40.
Researchers will study blood and possibly muscle samples.
The findings could benefit future understanding of muscle health.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy men and women aged between 18 and 40 years old. To be considered, your Body Mass Index (BMI) should be between 18.5 and 30. Your BMI is a number that uses your height and weight to estimate if you're a healthy weight. You can easily calculate your BMI online if you're unsure.

There are certain health conditions and lifestyle choices that mean you wouldn't be able to take part. For example, if you smoke regularly, have type 2 diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher), or certain tummy troubles, you won't be eligible. Also, if you're taking medicines that could affect how your body uses protein or reduce inflammation, or if you are pregnant, this study wouldn't be suitable for you.

The main idea is to study healthy people to see how their bodies respond to the drinks without other health issues getting in the way. Don't worry if you're not sure about any of these points; the study team will go through everything with you carefully to check if you're a good fit.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 40 years old?
Is your Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30?
Do you currently smoke?
Do you have type 2 diabetes, heart problems, or high blood pressure?
Are you pregnant?
Are you taking medicines that affect protein use or inflammation?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

We don’t have all the details here about exactly how long your participation would be for, or how many visits. However, typically, studies like this involve a few visits to a clinic. During these visits, you would likely be asked to drink the study beverage (either the ketone and protein drink or a control drink). Researchers would then take samples, such as blood, over several hours to see how your body is responding. This might involve having a small tube (cannula) placed in your arm to avoid repeated needle sticks. You might also have a muscle biopsy, which is a small sample of muscle taken under local anaesthetic, to look at how protein is being built in the muscle itself. The total duration of your involvement, from initial screening to your final follow-up, would be fully explained by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit you, but the information we learn could help us understand how to improve muscle health for others in the future. As with any study, there are potential risks, such as discomfort from blood draws or muscle biopsies, or possible side effects from the study drinks, which would be fully explained. You are free to ask questions at any time, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any point without giving a reason, and without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Health and Life Sciences
Exeter, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What are ketones?

Ketones are chemicals your body makes when it's low on sugar, usually when you haven't eaten for a while. They give your body energy when sugar isn't available.

What is a ketone monoester?

It's a special drink that quickly raises the level of ketones in your blood, similar to what happens after several days of fasting, but without having to skip meals.

What is muscle protein synthesis?

This is simply the process where your body builds new muscle proteins. It's how your muscles grow and repair themselves after exercise or everyday wear and tear.

Will I become stronger by taking part?

This study is designed to understand how the drinks affect muscle, not necessarily to make you stronger. Any direct benefit to you personally is not guaranteed.

Is the study suitable for older adults?

No, this specific study is looking for healthy individuals aged 18 to 40 years old.

How to find out more

Alistair Monteyne, PhD

a.monteyne2@exeter.ac.uk +44 (0)1392 72 4774 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.