Metabolic effects of a D-beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion in septic patients: inhibition of lipolysis and glucose production but not leucine oxidation.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of a D-beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion on protein metabolism, lipolysis, and endogenous glucose production in septic patients.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized trial.

SETTING

Intensive care unit (ICU) and metabolic unit at a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Twelve ICU patients with sepsis and six healthy normal subjects.

INTERVENTIONS

Septic patients were administered 4-hr infusions of either D-beta-hydroxybutyrate or a control solution, 12 hrs after parenteral nutrition was replaced with an isotonic saline infusion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The appearance and oxidation rates of leucine (L[1-13C]leucine) and endogenous glucose production (D[6,6-2H2]glucose), plasma fatty acids, and glycerol values were measured before and at the end of infusion of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate or control solution. Unlike the control test, the D-beta-hydroxybutyrate infusion decreased glucose production, fatty acids, and glycerol concentrations, but failed to decrease the leucine oxidation rate.

CONCLUSION

Exogenous ketone-bodies infusion decreased lipolysis and glucose production in septic patients but had no beneficial effect on protein metabolism, as evaluated with L[1-13C]leucine.