β-Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Body Weight by Modulating Fatty Acid Oxidation and Beiging in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of DIO Mice

β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) serves as an alternative cellular fuel during states of low glucose availability, such as fasting or carbohydrate restriction, when the body shifts to using fats and ketone bodies for energy. While BHB has shown potential metabolic benefits, its mechanisms of action in the context of obesity are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effects of BHB supplementation on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) metabolism in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. Adult male mice were first fed a high-fat diet for six weeks, followed by a standard diet with or without BHB supplementation for an additional six weeks. BHB supplementation led to significant body weight loss independent of food intake. This weight reduction was associated with decreased adipocyte differentiation, reflected by reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) protein levels and lower uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, indicating altered SAT function. Transcriptomic analysis of SAT revealed upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid activation and transport (e.g., <i>Slc27a2</i>, <i>Plin5</i>, <i>Acot4</i>, <i>Acsm3</i>, <i>Rik</i>). Functional enrichment highlighted the activation of the PPAR signaling pathway and enrichment of peroxisomal components in the BHB group. Together, these results suggest that BHB promotes lipid remodeling in SAT, enhancing fatty acid metabolism while suppressing thermogenic pathways, and thus may represent a novel mechanism contributing to adiposity reduction and metabolic improvement.

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Publication Details

Journal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Published
2025-05-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115064
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Diet and metabolism studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.16

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article

β-Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Body Weight by Modulating Fatty Acid Oxidation and Beiging in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of DIO Mice

Isabel Moreno‐Indias, Pallavi Kompella, María José García‐López, Violeta Heras et al.
1 citations
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Diet and metabolism studies
1.16
article

β-Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Body Weight by Modulating Fatty Acid Oxidation and Beiging in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of DIO Mice

Isabel Moreno‐Indias, Pallavi Kompella, María José García‐López, Violeta Heras, Almudena Ortega‐Gómez, Elena Rojano, Maria Luisa García‐Martín, Francisco José Tinahones, Juan A. G. Ranea, Virginia Mela, Guillermo Paz‐López, Lucia Hurtado-García
article en
1 citations

Abstract

β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) serves as an alternative cellular fuel during states of low glucose availability, such as fasting or carbohydrate restriction, when the body shifts to using fats and ketone bodies for energy. While BHB has shown potential metabolic benefits, its mechanisms of action in the context of obesity are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effects of BHB supplementation on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) metabolism in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. Adult male mice were first fed a high-fat diet for six weeks, followed by a standard diet with or without BHB supplementation for an additional six weeks. BHB supplementation led to significant body weight loss independent of food intake. This weight reduction was associated with decreased adipocyte differentiation, reflected by reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) protein levels and lower uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, indicating altered SAT function. Transcriptomic analysis of SAT revealed upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid activation and transport (e.g., <i>Slc27a2</i>, <i>Plin5</i>, <i>Acot4</i>, <i>Acsm3</i>, <i>Rik</i>). Functional enrichment highlighted the activation of the PPAR signaling pathway and enrichment of peroxisomal components in the BHB group. Together, these results suggest that BHB promotes lipid remodeling in SAT, enhancing fatty acid metabolism while suppressing thermogenic pathways, and thus may represent a novel mechanism contributing to adiposity reduction and metabolic improvement.

International Journal of Molecular SciencesVol. 26(11)
Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES), Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (ES), Fundación Progreso y Salud (ES), Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (ES), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria (ES), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (ES), Universidad de Málaga (ES), Stanford University (US)
Universidad de Málaga, European Commission, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Diet and metabolism studies
1.16
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