Inhibition of muscular triglyceride lipolysis by ketone bodies: a mechanism for energy-preservation in starvation.

Using the forearm technique, muscle substrate balances were measured in healthy volunteers under the influence of a low dose intraarterial infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate. The ketone body led to a prompt cessation of muscular release of glycerol and free fatty acids, indicating inhibited muscular triglyceride lipolysis. This finding confirms the concept of substrate regulation of muscle triglyceride lipolysis in vivo.