BHB Ketone attenuates stress-induced behavioral and inflammatory responses

BHB Ketone body plays a neuroprotective function exerting anti-oxidative effects and improving mitochondrial function #cleanfuel #bettermood

Neuro-inflammation has been shown to play a critical role in the development of depression. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a ketone body and has recently been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Here, we investigated the potential antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects of BHB. We examined the influence of repeated BHB administration on depressive and anxiety behaviors in a rodent model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Additionally, the influence of acute immobilization (IMM) stress and single BHB administration on hippocampal interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed. Repeated administration of BHB attenuated CUS-induced depressive- and anxiety-related behaviors. IMM stress increased levels of IL-1β in the hippocampus, while a single pre-administration of BHB attenuated this increase. Although no effect was observed on hippocampal TNF-α levels after 1 h of IMM stress, a single BHB pre-administration reduced hippocampal TNF-α.

These findings demonstrate that BHB exerts antidepressant-like effects, possibly by inhibiting NLRP3-induced neuro-inflammation in the hippocampus, and that BHB may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of stress-related mood disorders. Thus, it is possible that a single dose of BHB produce an increase in brain levels of BHB, which may be sufficient to improve symptoms of depression. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant and anti-inflammatory effects of BHB in mouse models of depression.

Full Article in the Journal Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41...