Ketone monoesters to boost muscle protein synthesis and whole‑body protein use
Official title: The Effect of Ketone Monoesters on Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis and Whole-body Protein Metabolism.
Run by University of Exeter · NCT07082309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether taking an oral ketone monoester with protein can increase muscle protein building and change whole‑body protein metabolism in healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Exeter Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Exeter, Devon) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 4, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 24, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07082309 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy, non‑smoking adults aged 18–40 with BMI 18.5–30 kg/m2 who are not pregnant and have no major metabolic, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal disease are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
People outside the age or BMI ranges, smokers, pregnant individuals, or those with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disease, or on medications that affect protein metabolism may not benefit or are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will give healthy adult volunteers an oral ketone monoester drink (about 0.5 g/kg body mass) co‑ingested with a whey protein beverage and compare it to a control beverage to raise blood β‑hydroxybutyrate (BHB) to levels seen in fasting. They will measure post‑meal muscle protein synthesis and whole‑body protein turnover using blood tests and muscle sampling over several hours after ingestion. The trial enrolls non‑smoking adults with BMI 18.5–30 and ages 18–40 and excludes those with metabolic, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal disease, pregnancy, or medications that affect protein metabolism. Results will clarify how exogenous ketosis interacts with feeding to influence muscle remodelling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ketone monoester supplementation taken with protein could help improve post‑meal muscle protein synthesis and support muscle maintenance.
How similar studies have gone: Prior infusion studies and a small oral ketone monoester trial have shown that BHB can stimulate muscle protein synthesis, suggesting the approach has early supporting evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: • BMI 18-30 Exclusion Criteria: * Body mass index (BMI) \< 18.5 or \> 30 kg/m2 * Age \< 18 or \> 40 * Regularly smokes * Type 2 diabetes * Cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease and hypertension (≥ 140/90 mmHg) * Gastrointestinal disorders * Use medicines that may impact protein metabolism or that are anti-inflammatory (determined at the screening) * Pregnancy
Where it's running
-
Health and Life Sciences
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alistair Monteyne, PhD
- Email: a.monteyne2@exeter.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 4774
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
How age affects germinal center responses after flu and rabies vaccines
Researchers will test how the immune system responds to flu and rabies vaccines in younger adults (18–40) and older adults (65+).
-
Magnetic field maps with NV sensors for non-invasive heart measurements
This study tests whether diamond-based NV magnetometers can non-invasively detect and map the heart's magnetic field in healthy adults.
-
Methylation analyses using home-based self-sampling in women with and without gynecological disease
This study tests whether self-collected urine and vaginal samples can reveal DNA methylation markers that distinguish people with gynecological (pre-)cancers from cancer-free controls.
-
Omega-3 status in healthy adults: comparing different fish-oil and algae-oil products
This study tests whether various fish-oil and algae-oil products can raise the Omega-3 Index in healthy adults who don’t eat much fatty fish.
-
A safe, carefully dosed test of TBD11 in healthy adults
This phase 1 study tests TBD11 in healthy adults to see if it is safe and tolerable and to understand how it behaves in the body, including how it interacts with other medicines.
-
Fosmanogepix in healthy adults: how it may interact with other drugs and heart rhythm
This study tests whether fosmanogepix (and its active form manogepix) changes how other medicines work in healthy adults.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.