News Releases & Research Results Elucidation of the mechanism of weight loss by low carbohydrate―dieting and intermittent fasting - Discovery of novel receptors for ketone bodies―

Results of a joint study by research teams of Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Junki Miyamoto, Specially Appointed Lecturer Ryuji Kitano and Professor Ikuo Kimura of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Keio University, and Kyoto Medical Center.

• Acetoacetic acid, a ketone body produced as an alternative energy source of glucose during energy shortage such as starvation, and its receptor and changes in the intestinal environment were demonstrated to be strongly involved in the effective reduction of body fat by low-carbohydrate dieting and intermittent fasting.
• The results should contribute to the development of therapeutic drugs for metabolic diseases, which target the ketone body receptor, as well as pre-emptive therapy and preventive medicine through dietary intervention and nutritional management.

This project was implemented with the support of the Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation (AMED-CREST) by the AMED.

The results were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on November 5

Miyamoto J, et al. Ketone body receptor GPR43 regulates lipid metabolism under ketogenic conditions PNAS
DOI:10.1073/pnas.1912573116