In rat heart arteries, the ketone body relaxes blood vessels without needing the inner lining or certain inflammatory chemicals.
Scientific Claim
In isolated rat coronary arteries, sodium 3-hydroxybutyrate-induced vasorelaxation was endothelium-independent and not mediated by cyclooxygenase-dependent prostanoids.
Original Statement
“After denudation of the endothelial cell layer—achieved by passing air bubbles through the lumen—the coronary arteries, as expected, did not relax in response to 5 µM acetylcholine (Fig. 3E). However, the endothelial denudation did not restrict the relaxation to 10 mM 3-OHB (Fig. 3F). We also observed no influence on the 3-OHB-induced vasorelaxation when coronary arteries were pre-incubated with 3 µM indomethacin (Fig. 3G), supporting that a cyclooxygenase-dependent prostanoid is not involved.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The targeted mechanistic experiments in isolated tissues support definitive statements about the underlying process.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate elevates cardiac output through peripheral vasorelaxation and enhanced cardiac contractility