by Masonic Medical Research Institute

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A research team led by Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), has uncovered groundbreaking insights into heart health in a study titled “Myocardial Hyperemia via Cardiomyocyte Catabolism of β-Hydroxybutyrate.”

The research highlights how a ketone body called β-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB)—a molecule produced by the liver when breaking down fat—can enhance blood flow to the heart. The paper is published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and ischemic heart disease—caused by insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the heart—is the number one cause in the world. Understanding how to regulate and improve blood flow to the heart is essential for developing new treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Nystoriak, recently recruited to MMRI, collaborated with researchers at the University of Louisville to show that elevated levels of 3-OHB, which occur during fasting, exercise, or as a result of certain diabetes medications like SGLT2 inhibitors, improve cardiac blood flow. While ketones have long been associated with heart health, how they work has remained unclear—until now.

This study revealed that heart muscle cells using 3-OHB as an energy source drive better blood flow, a process known as hyperemia. These findings suggest that the heart’s ability to switch between different energy sources, such as fats, sugars and ketones, plays a crucial role in maintaining its blood and oxygen supply. This discovery could open new doors for therapies targeting heart disease and improve patient outcomes.

“These findings suggest that ketone body delivery to the heart could represent a promising strategy for improving oxygen delivery in patients with ischemic heart disease,” said Nystoriak. “This research further highlights the potential of ketogenic approaches, such as lifestyle changes or targeted therapies, to improve cardiovascular health.”

This work was a collaboration with scientists at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and included 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.

More information: Kara R. Gouwens et al, Myocardial Hyperemia via Cardiomyocyte Catabolism of β-Hydroxybutyrate, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.321848

Journal information:Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

Provided by Masonic Medical Research Institute

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