Examining the Effect of Consuming C8 Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil for 14 Days on Markers of NLRP3 Activation in Healthy Humans

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is associated with the development of numerous diseases and is mediated in part by overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta HB) suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome and alters intracellular signalling pathways in vitro and in animal models; however, this effect has not yet been shown in vivo in humans. The purpose of this single-arm pilot trial was to determine if consuming 15 mL of C-8 medium-chain triglyceride (trioctanoin; MCT) oil, which induces mild elevation of beta HB, twice daily (30 mL total) for 14 days would suppress markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in young, healthy humans while following their habitual diet. Consuming a single dose of 15 mL of C-8 MCT oil significantly raised blood beta HB from fasting at 60 minutes and 120 minutes post ingestion (both P < 0.05). However, consumption of C-8 MCT oil for 14 days did not impact markers of monocyte NLRP3 inflammasome activation compared to baseline. Specifically, caspase-1 activation and secretion of its downstream product interleukin (IL)-1 beta were unchanged following 14 days of C-8 MCT oil supplementation when measured in unstimulated and LPS-stimulated whole blood cultures (all P > 0.05). Acetylation of histone H3 on the lysine residue 9 was unchanged (P < 0.05) and acetylation of lysine residue 14 was decreased (P < 0.05) following 14 days of supplementation. Thus, adding twice daily C-8 MCT oil supplementation to the habitual diet of young, healthy humans does not appear to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta HB) on the NLRP3 inflammasome in humans. The results showed that continuous consumption of C-8 medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil for 14 days did not suppress the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in young, healthy individuals. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between chronic inflammation and diseases.