Divergent Hepatic Outcomes of Chronic Ketone Supplementation: Ketone Salts Preserve Liver Health While Ketone Esters and Precursors Drive Inflammation and Steatosis.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Exogenous ketone supplements elevate circulating ketones without carbohydrate restriction, but their long-term hepatic safety remains unclear. This study evaluated the formulation-dependent impact of chronic ketone supplementation on liver histopathology, inflammatory signaling, and systemic biomarkers in rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered 1,3-butanediol (BD), medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), ketone ester (KE), ketone electrolytes/salts (KSs), or a ketone salt-MCT combination (KSMCT) for 4 weeks. In a separate arm, animals received standard diet (SD), or SD supplemented with low-dose KE (LKE) or high-dose KE (HKE), for 83 days. Liver structure was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining with quantification of red blood

SUBMITTER: Ari C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12566606 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature