Exogenous Ketones in Type 2 Diabetes

NCT ID: NCT04194450

Last Updated: 2025-05-30

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

19 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-01-15

Study Completion Date

2022-05-20

Brief Summary

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Exogenous ketone supplements are proposed to have glucose-lowering potential, provide an alternative fuel for the brain and to enhance cognitive function. No studies have tested whether exogenous ketones can lower blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the impact of exogenous ketones on brain blood flow, cognitive function or brain-derived neurotrophic factor in humans is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if acutely ingesting exogenous ketones, in the form of a ketone monoester drink, can lower glucose and improve measures of brain/cognitive function in humans with type 2 diabetes. Participants will consume a ketone monoester drink or placebo with blood samples, brain blood flow, and cognitive function assessed over 180 minutes. The researchers will also test how the ketone monoester drink impacts appetite and measures of inflammation.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Ketosis Type 2 Diabetes

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors
Placebo masked with flavouring and participants consume in opaque containers.

Study Groups

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Ketone monoester

Acute dose of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (0.3 g/kg body weight)

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ketone monoester

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate prior to assessment of outcomes.

Placebo

Acute dose of flavour-matched placebo.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of taste-matched placebo prior to assessment of outcomes.

Interventions

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Ketone monoester

Acute ingestion of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate prior to assessment of outcomes.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Acute ingestion of taste-matched placebo prior to assessment of outcomes.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes of ≥1 year
* current hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of 6.5-8.0%
* treatment with lifestyle or stable (≥3 months) oral glucose-lowering medications
* blood pressure of \<160/99 mm Hg assessed according to guidelines
* non-smoking
* no prior history of cardiovascular disease or stroke
* not on hormone replacement therapy, corticosteroids, or anti-inflammatory medications
* 20-75 years old

Exclusion Criteria

* being a competitive endurance athlete
* taking exogenous insulin or sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
* following a ketogenic diet, low-calorie diet, periodic fasting regimen, or consume ketogenic supplements
* being unable to travel to and from the university
* being unable to follow the controlled diet instructions
* being pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study (if female)
* disorders of fat metabolism, chronic pancreatitis, had gastric bypass surgery and/or gallbladder disease
* being unable to read or communicate in English
Minimum Eligible Age

20 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

69 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of British Columbia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jonathan Little

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of British Columbia, Okanagan

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

References

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Baranowski BJ, Oliveira BF, Falkenhain K, Little JP, Mohammad A, Beaudette SM, Finch MS, Caldwell HG, Neudorf H, MacPherson REK, Walsh JJ. Effect of exogenous beta-hydroxybutyrate on BDNF signaling, cognition, and amyloid precursor protein processing in humans with T2D and insulin-resistant rodents. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2025 Feb 1;328(2):C541-C556. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00867.2024. Epub 2025 Jan 13.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39804761 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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H19-02947

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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