The Impact of Acute Ingestion of a Ketone Monoester Drink on LPS-Stimulated NLRP3 Activation in Humans with Obesity

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of 11 people with obesity, blood was sampled before and 30 minutes after a ketone monoester drink (482 mg/kg) or placebo, then 60 minutes after a 75 g glucose load. NLRP3 activation was measured by monocyte caspase-1 activation and IL-1beta secretion in ex vivo LPS-stimulated blood. Caspase-1 activation increased after glucose with no difference between conditions, and IL-1beta secretion did not differ between conditions. Plasma IL-1beta fell from baseline to 60 minutes in the ketone condition only, and the authors note this needs confirmation in larger samples.