Kanta Josephine M, Lundsgaard Anne-Marie, Havelund Jesper F, Armour Sara L, Bæk Ole, Nguyen Duc Ninh, Richter Erik A, Knudsen Jakob G, Kleinert Maximilian, Færgeman Nils J, Fritzen Andreas M, Kiens Bente
The August Krogh Section for Molecular Physiology, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Jan 1;328(1):E1-E20. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00234.2024. Epub 2024 Oct 23.
Several health-beneficial effects are associated with intake of medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT); however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Furthermore, it remains uncertain whether the acute metabolic effects of MCT differ between lean individuals and individuals with obesity-and whether these effects are sustained following chronic intake. This study aimed to elucidate the postprandial physiological and metabolic effects of MCT before and after 8 days intake compared with intake of energy-matched triacylglycerol consisting of long-chain fatty acids (long-chain triacylglycerols, LCT) using a randomized cross-over design in lean individuals ( = 8) and individuals with obesity ( = 8). The study revealed that consumption of MCT increased ketogenesis and metabolic rate while lowering blood glucose levels over 5 h. The hypoglycemic action of MCT intake was accompanied by a concomitant transient increase in plasma insulin and glucagon levels. Interestingly, the effects on ketogenesis, metabolic rate, and glycemia were preserved in individuals with obesity and sustained after 8 days of daily supplementation. Lipidomic plasma analysis in lean individuals ( = 4) showed that a part of the ingested MCT bypasses the liver and enters the systemic circulation as medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The findings suggest that MCFAs, along with ketone bodies from the liver, may act as signaling molecules and/or substrates in the peripheral tissues, thereby contributing to the effects of MCT intake. In summary, these findings underscore the health benefits of MCT in metabolically compromised individuals after daily supplementation. Moreover, we uncover novel aspects of MCFA biology, providing insights into how these fatty acids orchestrate physiological effects in humans. We reveal that medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) intake increases postprandial ketogenesis and metabolic rate and reduces plasma glucose levels in humans. Notably, these responses persist in individuals with obesity and are maintained following chronic MCT supplementation. Some medium-chain fatty acids entered the circulation, suggesting that these, together with ketone bodies, act as signaling molecules/substrates in peripheral tissues. The findings highlight health beneficial effects of dietary MCT in individuals with obesity and reveal new insights into lipid biology.
摄入中链甘油三酯（MCT）具有多种有益健康的作用；然而，其潜在机制尚不清楚。此外，MCT的急性代谢效应在瘦人与肥胖个体之间是否存在差异，以及长期摄入后这些效应是否会持续，目前仍不确定。本研究旨在采用随机交叉设计，比较8天摄入MCT前后与摄入能量匹配的长链脂肪酸甘油三酯（长链甘油三酯，LCT）后，在瘦人（n = 8）和肥胖个体（n = 8）中的餐后生理和代谢效应。研究表明，食用MCT可增加生酮作用和代谢率，同时在5小时内降低血糖水平。MCT摄入的降血糖作用伴随着血浆胰岛素和胰高血糖素水平的短暂同时升高。有趣的是，肥胖个体对生酮作用、代谢率和血糖的影响得以保留，并且在每日补充8天后仍持续存在。对瘦人（n = 4）进行的血浆脂质组学分析表明，一部分摄入的MCT绕过肝脏，以中链脂肪酸（MCFA）的形式进入体循环。研究结果表明，MCFA与肝脏产生的酮体一起，可能作为外周组织中的信号分子和/或底物，从而促成MCT摄入的效应。总之，这些发现强调了每日补充MCT对代谢受损个体的健康益处。此外，我们揭示了MCFA生物学中的新方面，为这些脂肪酸如何协调人类生理效应提供了见解。我们发现，中链甘油三酯（MCT）的摄入可增加人体餐后的生酮作用和代谢率，并降低血浆葡萄糖水平。值得注意的是，这些反应在肥胖个体中持续存在，并且在长期补充MCT后得以维持。一些中链脂肪酸进入循环，表明这些脂肪酸与酮体一起，在外周组织中作为信号分子/底物发挥作用。这些发现突出了膳食MCT对肥胖个体的健康有益作用，并揭示了脂质生物学的新见解。
