Assessment of BHB Concentration Agreement Among Sampling Locations and the Impact of Ketosis on EPO, and More

Aim and Perspective The primary objective of this study is to ascertain The agreement between estimates of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in capillary and venous blood and whether this agreement is influenced by the level of BHB.

The agreement in BHB measurements between finger and earlobe capillary samples. The agreement in BHB measurements between venous estimates obtained through a point-of-care device (KetoSure) and full blood estimates obtained through hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HLCMS).

A central aim of the study is also to investigate The impact of ketosis on short-term and longer-term erythropoietin (EPO) levels.

The resulting effects of EPO on erythropoiesis and iron metabolism during a two-week period of intermittent ketosis.

The effects of ketosis on sex hormones including derived factors. The effects of ketosis on hemodynamic markers and blood pressure.

The study aims to determine the appropriateness of selecting a specific sampling site for BHB measurement in both patient care and research. Additionally, it seeks to identify any differences between BHB measurements from capillary and venous blood samples. The study will also examine the concordance between the KetoSure point-of-care-test (POCT) device and the established gold standard, offering insight into any discrepancies arising from electrochemical estimations and HLCMS.

Accurate BHB measurement is crucial in clinical and experimental settings. Firstly, precise BHB quantification can inform clinical decision-making for conditions such as suspected hyperinsulinemia, uncertain etiology hypoglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Secondly, given the extensive research on BHB inference and ketones in recent years, the credibility of these studies heavily hinges on the precision of measurements concerning sample type and sampling site selection.

During the randomized study period, the effects of ketosis on EPO concentrations, sex hormone levels, hemodynamic markers, and blood pressure measurements will be explored. These analyses will be conducted using blood samples collected from baseline through the acute study visit as well as on Day 15, when participants receive intermittent BHB ketone ester supplementation or matched placebo according to randomization.

Analytical approach Following a visual assessment of graphical linearity representation, differences will be calculated using the paired t-test, agreement determined using the Bland-Altman plot, and correlations assessed using Pearson's r. Further calculations will employ Lin's concordance correlation coefficient of absolute agreement. An analysis equivalent to repeated measurements ANOVA will be applied. No imputation of missing data will be conducted, and steps will be taken to ensure data completeness before participants leave the research facilities.

Sample Size and Power Calculation Given the absence of prior studies on BHB agreement data, our study's sample size calculations are based on relevant literature. Citing Boyd et al., and considering correlated glucose estimates, a sample size of 13 participants will provide sufficient statistical power (alpha = 0.05, beta = 20%) to detect a difference of 0.58 mM in glucose estimates between capillary and venous blood samples (SD = 0.68 mM). A sample size of 20 participants is justifiably required to detect a clinically significant difference of 1 mM (SD = 1.5) under the same parameters. Consequently, we will include 16 patients in our study.

Up to 150 mL of blood will be collected during the study, including repeated sampling through an indwelling catheter during acute testing and follow-up outpatient sampling at Day 15.

Purpose of Storage Biological samples will be stored at -80 °C for the duration of data collection and for 18 months thereafter to allow for batch analyses. A research biobank will be established for samples not analyzed immediately, with surplus material preserved for potential future research.

Handling of Patient Information Access to electronic health records is limited to laboratory results necessary for study analyses and is included in informed consent. Data will be pseudonymized during analysis. De-identification codes will be retained by the primary investigator.

Data Privacy and Sharing Data access is restricted to investigators until completion of final analyses. After anonymization, data may be shared upon reasonable request. Public data sharing is under consideration following publication.

Financial Information The study is investigator-initiated and funded through independent research funds within the Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Hospital Viborg. No investigators have financial interests in the intervention.