When added to isolated rat hearts, a ketone body made the heart muscle contract more strongly and increased blood flow to the heart muscle itself.
Scientific Claim
In isolated perfused rat hearts, 3–10 mM sodium 3-hydroxybutyrate increased left ventricular developed pressure by up to 26.3±7.4 mmHg and coronary perfusion by 20.2±9.5% compared to equimolar sodium chloride.
Original Statement
“Relative to the osmotic control, addition of 3–10 mM 3-OHB increased left ventricular systolic pressure by up to 27.0±7.5 mmHg (Fig. 2A, B) and left ventricular developed pressure by up to 26.3±7.5 mmHg (Fig. 2B) within 10 minutes, whereas heart rate was unaffected (Fig. 2B). Compared to the osmotic control, 10 mM 3-OHB increased coronary flow rate by 20.2±9.5% (Fig. 2B).”
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 isolated heart experiments with controlled interventions support definitive causal language for the specific experimental conditions.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate elevates cardiac output through peripheral vasorelaxation and enhanced cardiac contractility