Beta-hydroxybutyrate favorably alters muscle cell survival and mitochondrial bioenergetics

Research has recently revealed that endurance athletes successfully compete while in states of ketosis, where the muscle is predominantly fueled by fatty acids and ketones. With these data in mind, we sought to determine the effect of ketones on muscle cell mitochondrial physiology. Murine myotubes were incubated with b-hydroxybutyrate (bHB), then used for analysis. bHB treatment increased muscle cell survival and proliferation, while also increasing mitochondrial mass. Importantly, and perhaps reflective of its benefit to muscle tissue performance, bHB increased ATP production over control conditions. Collectively, these findings have to two implications. First, they indicate that muscle cells thrive in the midst of bHB, the circulating form of ketones. Second, improved mitochondrial function and proliferation may be insufficient to increase muscle and whole-body endurance performance.