β-HYDROXYBUTYRATE INDUCES ACUTE PULMONARY ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN RABBITS

Abstract

The authors examined the effects of high ketone body and glucose concentrations on endothelial cell (EC) function in perfused rabbit lungs. beta-Hydroxybutyrate (beta OHB), at 5 mM, decreased endothelial angiotensin-converting enzyme (eACE) activity, whereas 25 mM glucose (HG), 1 mM beta OHB, or 10 mM acetoacetate (AcAc) did not. Dry to wet weight ratios were also reduced in lungs perfused with 5 mM beta OHB, but not with AcAc. beta OHB, at 5 mM, caused massive hemorrhage and interstitial and alveolar neutrophil infiltration; AcAc only produced engorgement of septal capillaries. Thus, pulmonary EC dysfunction occurs in rabbit lungs acutely perfused with beta OHB, but not with AcAc or glucose.