07 August 2002
Ketogenic diet: does acetone stop seizures?
Sergei S. Likhodi, W. McIntyre BurnhamMed Sci Monit 2002; 8(8): HY19-24 :: ID: 13550
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The mechanism of action of the ketogenic diet, a therapy for refractory epilepsy, is unknown. Our hypothesis is that acetone, one of three ketones elevated by the ketogenic diet, is directly responsible for the diet's anticonvulsant effects. This study examined the basic concepts of this hypothesis. MATERIAL/METHODS: Rats were acutely injected with acetone intraperitoneally at doses of 1 or 10 mmol/kg, or received acetone chronically in drinking water (1% v/v) for 10 days before being injected with a 1 mmol/kg dose of acetone. Controls consumed regular water and were injected with vehicle. A pentylenetetrazole seizure test was administered 15 min after the injections. Following the test, acetone was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: A 10 mmol/kg injection of acetone suppressed seizures in 60% of rats (P<0.05). A chronic administration of acetone followed by a 1 mmol/kg injection suppressed seizures in 47% of rats (P<0.05). The acetone concentrations in these rats were 10.3±2.3 and 1.0±0.2 mmol/L, respectively. The effect of the acute 1 mmol/kg injection (without acetone pretreatment) was not statistically significant. This dose elevated acetone to 1.1±0.1 mmol/L in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that acetone is an anticonvulsant and that chronic administration may enhance its action. Linking acetone to the effects of the ketogenic diet requires further research. In particular, it will be important to confirm that the ketogenic diet generates relevant concentrations of acetone.
Keywords: Acetone - administration & dosage, Acetone - therapeutic use, Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage, Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use, Cerebrospinal Fluid - chemistry, Convulsants - pharmacology, Diet, Epilepsy - diet therapy, Epilepsy - drug therapy, Fasting, Ketones - metabolism, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Pentylenetetrazole - pharmacology, Seizures - chemically induced
Editorial
01 November 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Image Analysis, and the Future of Cancer Diagnosis and PrognosisDOI: 10.12659/MSM.947038
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e947038
In Press
Clinical Research
Risk Factors for Bone Cement Displacement After Percutaneous Kyphoplasty in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945884
Clinical Research
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Arthritis Patients: Differential Modulation of CD4⁺ T Cell Acti...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945273
Review article
Surgical Advances in the Treatment of Acromioclavicular Joint Injury: A Comprehensive ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942969
Clinical Research
Analysis of Mortality Causes and Locations in Veterans with ALS: A Decade ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945816
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article 6,477,415
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research 1,909,282
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research 695,637
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
07 Jan 2022 : Meta-Analysis 261,758
Efficacy and Safety of Light Therapy as a Home Treatment for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Dise...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935074
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935074