Open Access

REVIEW

Ketone bodies and inflammation modulation: A mini-review on ketogenic diet’s potential mechanisms in mood disorders

by YAN ZHENG^1,2, SIHUI MA^3,4,*, KATSUHIKO SUZUKI⁴, HISANORI KATO³, HUIJUAN JIA^3,*

1 College of Physical Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
2 China Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China
3 Health Nutrition, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1130032, Japan
4 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, 3591192, Japan

* Corresponding Authors: SIHUI MA. Email: ; HUIJUAN JIA. Email: -tokyo.ac.jp

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Neuroimmune Interactions at the Crossroads of Health and Disease)

BIOCELL 2023, 47(8), 1897-1906. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2023.027632

Received 07 November 2022; Accepted 15 March 2023; Issue published 28 August 2023

Abstract

Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety inflict significant burdens on individuals and society. Commonly prescribed treatments often involve cognitive therapy and medications. However, for patients resistant to these conventional methods, alternative therapies like the Ketogenic Diet (KD) offer a promising avenue. KD and its key metabolite, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), have been hypothesized to alleviate mental disorders through anti-inflammatory actions, a crucial pathway in the pathophysiology of depression. This mini-review examines 15 clinical trials exploring the influence of KD and BHB on inflammation and their potential roles in managing mental disorders. Both human and animal studies were scrutinized to elucidate possible cellular and molecular mechanisms. Out of the 15 trials, 10 reported reduced levels of at least one inflammatory mediator or mRNA post KD or BHB treatment, while two observed an elevation in anti-inflammatory agents. These findings suggest that KD and BHB could modulate cellular inflammatory pathways, highlighting their potential for therapeutic application in mental disorders.

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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