Boosting Ketone Supply Could Fuel Better Heart Health in HFpEF

New research suggests increasing ketones in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) can enhance energy production and heart function. This discovery, presented at the American Heart Association's 2024 conference, may pave the way for future treatments targeting HFpEF metabolic pathways.

Recent research indicates that boosting ketone levels in the hearts of mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) allows their hearts to use more ketones and generate additional energy. These findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2024.

HFpEF, a widespread heart failure type, occurs when symptoms and signs of heart failure arise despite a normal or almost normal left ventricular ejection fraction. To sustain the heart's continuous pumping action, a healthy heart requires a high rate of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, obtained from a balanced use of glucose and fats.

Qiuyu (Violet) Sun, B.Sc., a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Alberta, explains, "Ketones are a special energy resource. While humans usually rely on carbohydrates and fats for energy, when blood glucose levels drop, like during prolonged fasting or strenuous exercise, the body starts producing ketones from fat breakdown to fuel the brain and heart."

Researchers discovered that HFpEF hearts rely excessively on fatty acids for ATP, which is less efficient compared to glucose. As a result, HFpEF hearts showed impaired ketone and glucose oxidation with increased fatty acid oxidation. However, enhancing ketone supply in HFpEF mice led to improved ATP production and preserved heart function.

This significant increase in ketone utilization did not interfere with glucose or fat metabolism, making it a promising treatment avenue. According to Sun, understanding key proteins in cardiac energy metabolism might lead to new drug targets to treat HFpEF.

The American Heart Association reports that around 56.2 million people globally were living with heart failure in 2019. However, this figure may underestimate the actual prevalence due to diagnostic limitations in low-resource areas.

Given the rising rates of HFpEF driven by aging and obesity, finding effective treatments is crucial. Future research will focus on the specific roles of ketones in heart energy production and function. Comprehensive studies in models that closely mimic human physiology are needed to validate these findings. (ANI)