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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06685913

The Effect of Ketone Esters on Forearm Glucose Metabolism

Ketones are naturally produced by our body and can affect our blood sugar levels. Ketones could be important tool for treating disease or recovering from exercise. The purpose of this research is to determine if a ketone drink can increase sugar uptake in our muscles. This research will provide new knowledge about the regulation of blood sugar.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nutritional Physiology Research Unit, University of Exeter

Exeter, Devon, EX1 2LU, United Kingdom

About this study

Impaired skeletal muscle glucose uptake following a meal ("insulin resistance"), is a primary risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. We and others have consistently shown that ingesting exogenous ketones can reduce blood glucose concentration. Mechanistically, this must arise through reduced glucose release (i.e. from liver), and/or increased uptake (i.e. into skeletal muscle). Our current MRC-funded work is focussing on ketone-liver interactions in patients with type 2 diabetes. Here we aim to investigate how KE influence skeletal muscle glucose metabolism.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18-40

Exclusion criteria

  • Any diagnosed metabolic health condition
  • Pregnant
  • Smoker
  • Diagnosed Cardiovascular disease
  • Use of medications deemed by research team to affect study outcomes
  • Recent history of musculoskeletal injury
  • Aged >40 or <18
  • Allergy to ingredients in the supplement, including ketones, lactose or milk protein

Treatment and study plan

Ketone Supplement

Dietary Supplement

100 mL flavoured drink containing 0.3 g/kg ketone monoester ((R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate; ΔG®, University of Oxford; https://www.deltagketones.com) consumed 30 min prior to a mixed meal tolerance test

Placebo supplement

Dietary Supplement

Placebo with bitter agent to flavour match, consumed 30 min prior to a mixed meal tolerance test

Primary outcomes

  1. Forearm glucose net balance

    Time frame: 3 hours

    Net balance of blood glucose across a forearm following a mixed meal tolerance test

Secondary outcomes

  1. Forearm non-esterified fatty acid net balance

    Time frame: 3 hours

    Net balance of blood non-esterified fatty acids across a forearm after a mixed meal tolerance test

  2. Forearm amino acid net balance

    Time frame: 3 hours

    Net balance of blood amino acids across a forearm following a mixed meal tolerance test

  3. Serum insulin concentrations

    Time frame: 3 hours

    Insulin concentration using ELISA assay over 4 and 8 hours following a meal

  4. Ketone concentration

    Time frame: 3 hours

    Ketone concentration using colorimetric assay over 4 and 8 hours following a meal

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Exeter

Other

Registry information

Acronym: KAV

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 13, 2024
Registry last updated
May 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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