Journal: Nature Communications
Article Title: A ketogenic diet enhances aerobic exercise adaptation and promotes muscle mitochondrial remodeling in hyperglycemic male mice
doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-69349-5
Figure Lengend Snippet: Normoglycemic control mice were fed standard chow (CC) or a ketogenic diet (CK) for 16 weeks. Half of the mice underwent voluntary wheel running (exercise-trained) for the last 8-weeks of dietary treatment, while the remainder were housed in static cages and remained sedentary. A Body mass ( P < 0.0001), B fat mass ( P < 0.0001), ( C ) and random glucose ( P < 0.0001) were decreased by exercise-training. For ( A – C ), Sedentary: CON-CHOW n = 7/group, CON-KETO n = 16/group; Exercise-Trained: CON-CHOW n = 8/group, CON-KETO n = 16/group). D Glucose tolerance was impaired by a ketogenic diet, as assessed by a higher area under the curve ( E ) ( P < 0.0001, n = 6/group). F Blood ketones were significantly higher in KETO-fed mice ( P < 0.0001; Sedentary: CON-CHOW n = 7, CON-KETO n = 8; Exercise-trained: n = 8/group) G VO 2 peak was higher in sedentary KETO-fed mice, but no change in aerobic adaptations to training were noted between CHOW- and KETO-fed mice. Main effects of diet ( P = 0.0219) and exercise-training ( P < 0.0001) were observed, and there was a diet-training interaction ( P = 0.0461). H Exercise performance (time to exhaustion) was enhanced by training ( P < 0.0001), but was not impacted by diet. For ( G ) and ( H ), Sedentary: CON-CHOW n = 7; CON-KETO n = 16, Exercise-trained: CON-CHOW n = 8; CON-KETO n = 16). I Muscle protein markers of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial content were assessed in gastrocnemius lysates by Western blotting ( n = 6/group). J After 16-wks of ketogenic diet feeding, mice were randomized to receive 1-wk of carbohydrate restoration (CHOW diet) or a further week of ketogenic diet. K Blood glucose ( P < 0.0001), ( L ) Blood ketones ( P < 0.0001), and [M] time to exhaustion ( P = 0.0213) were impacted by carbohydrate refeeding ( n = 8/group). Data from ( A – I ) and ( K – M ) are presented as mean ± SEM. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc testing. For ( A – I ) grey circles represent CON-CHOW and pink circles represent CON-KETO. For ( K – M ) pink circles represent KETO-KETO, and teal circles represent KETO-CHOW (1-wk carbohydrate restoration). Source data are provided as a Source Data file. Panel [J] c reated in BioRender. Lessard, S. (2026) https://BioRender.com/9sgnbgp .
Article Snippet: Blood ketones were measured using Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System (Abbott, 9881465).
Techniques: Control, Western Blot