Octanoic acid a major component of widely consumed medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet is detrimental to bone

Abstract

Octanoic acid is a medium-chained saturated fatty acid found abundantly in the ketogenic dietary supplements containing medium chained triglycerides (MCT) along with decanoic acid. The MCT ketogenic diet is commonly consumed for weight loss but has also showcased neuroprotective potential against neurodegenerative disorders. However, recent clinical findings have reported a critical disadvantage with the long-term consumption of ketogenic diet i.e. bone loss. The following study was employed to investigate whether the two major components of MCT diet also possess bone loss potential as observed with classical ketogenic diet. Swiss albino mice aged between 10 and 12 weeks, were divided into 3 treatment groups that were administered with oral suspensions of octanoic acid, decanoic acid and a combination of both for 4 weeks. Bone specific markers, microarchitectural parameters, using micro computed tomography, and biomechanical strength were analyzed. Remarkably deleterious alterations in the trabecular bone microarchitecture, and on bone markers were observed in the octanoic acid treated groups. Our results suggest significant negative effects on bone health by octanoic acid. These findings require further investigation and validation in order to provide significant clinically relevant data to possibly modify dietary composition of the MCT ketogenic diet.