Plasma Lipid Profiles and Redox Status are Modulated in a Ketogenic Diet-Induced Chicken Model of Ketosis

Abstract

Ketone bodies such as β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate have physiological functions in addition to being used as an energy source. In order to assess the effect of elevated ketogenesis on blood lipid profiles and redox status, a ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-protein diet, was fed to chicken for 4 weeks. Plasma βhydroxybutyrate, but not acetoacetate, concentrations were significantly increased by KD feeding for 2 and 4 weeks. The KD also induced elevation of plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and total cholesterol concentrations, whereas plasma triglyceride concentration was decreased. Plasma total antioxidant activity in chicken with ketosis induced by KD was lower than that of the control. However, the level of plasma TBARs, an oxidative stress marker, was also reduced by KD feeding. A reduction of energy intake was observed in chickens fed the KD; therefore, the effect of a restricted diet (RD) was also investigated. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentration, lipid (total cholesterol and NEFA) concentration, and redox status were not affected by RD feeding. These data suggest that a high-fat, lowcarbohydrate, and low-protein diet induces ketosis by elevating blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentration in chicken. Under conditions of ketosis induced by the KD, total antioxidant capacity was reduced along with a modulation of the blood lipid profile in chicken.