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The Effect of Alterations in Ketone Body Availability on the Utilization of ß-Hydroxybutyrate by Developing Rat Brain

Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032

The effect of alterations in ketone body availability during the early postnatal period on the in vitro and in vivo utilization of ß-hydroxybutyrate (ßOHB) by developing rat brain was determined. Ketone body availability was prolonged by feeding a high fat diet during pregnancy and lactation and to pups after weaning. Availability was decreased by early weaning pups at 16 days to a low fat liquid diet. In the in vitro studies, oxidation of [¹⁴C]ßOHB to CO₂ and incorporation into brain lipid was determined at 7, 14, 21, and 35 days of age. In the in vivo studies incorporation of [¹⁴C]ßOHB and [³H]glucose into brain lipid was measured. The results indicate that it is possible to alter the brain's utilization of ßOHB for lipid synthesis and energy metabolism during the developmental period. This was particularly evident in the in vivo studies. The in vivo results also suggest a relationship between ßOHB availability in the blood and incorporation into brain lipid. When availabillty was decreased by early weaning pups to the low fat diet, incorporation of ßOHB into lipid was also decreased. Likewise, when availability was increased, such as was seen in the high fat feeding study, incorporation was increased.

KEY WORDS: • ketone bodies • ß-hydroxybutyrate • brain development

¹ Present address: Department of Food Sciences, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ 08903.

Manuscript received 25 June 1982.