Effect of sodium D-3-hydroxybutyrate on amino acidemia in hemorrhagic hypotension

The effect of sodium D-3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) on the amino acidemia caused by hemorrhagic stress was studied. Rats were infused 3-OHB (3-OHB group, n = 11) at a rate of 30 mumol/min.kg or the same volume of saline (control group, n = 11) for 1 h prior to hemorrhage. Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 40 mm Hg using reserved bottle for 30 min. While ketosis was suppressed in control group, plasma ketone body concentration increased from 2,062.9 +/- 223.7 to 3,151.4 +/- 794.8 mumol/l in the 3-OHB group during hemorrhage. Although significant difference in plasma concentrations of amino acids were not shown between two groups at the onset of shock, it was shown after 30 min of shock in alanine, proline, and threonine. Particularly severity of hyperalaninemia was clear. In the control group plasma alanine concentration increased as shock proceeded (p less than 0.01), and no significant change was shown in the 3-OHB group. These results indicate that pretreatment with 3-OHB suppress the hyperalaninemia seen in hemorrhagic hypotension. Ketone body administration may inhibit the protein catabolism in stressed states, such as hemorrhagic hypotension.