Brain metabolism during fasting

J Clin Invest. 1967 Oct;46(10):1589-95. doi: 10.1172/JCI105650.

Abstract

Catheterization of cerebral vessels in three obese patients undergoing 5-6 wk of starvation demonstrated that beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate replaced glucose as the predominant fuel for brain metabolism. A strikingly low respiratory quotient was also observed, suggesting a carboxylation mechanism as a means of disposing of some of the carbon of the consumed substrates.

MeSH terms

  • Acetoacetates / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Calorimetry
  • Catheterization
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxybutyrates / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Starvation / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acetoacetates
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Glucose