Cited by 79Muscle Physiology and DisordersDietary Effects on HealthMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Fasting induces a highly resilient deep quiescent state in muscle stem cells via ketone body signaling

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Benjamin, Daniel I., Both, Pieter, Benjamin, Joel S., Nutter, Christopher W., Tan, Jenna H., Kang, Jengmin, Machado, Leo A., Klein, Julian D.D. +8 more·2022·Cell Metabolism

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Short-term fasting is beneficial for the regeneration of multiple tissue types. However, the effects of fasting on muscle regeneration are largely unknown. Here, we report that fasting slows muscle repair both immediately after the conclusion of fasting as well as after multiple days of refeeding. We show that ketosis, either endogenously produced during fasting or a ketogenic diet or exogenously administered, promotes a deep quiescent state in muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Although deep quiescent MuSCs are less poised to activate, slowing muscle regeneration, they have markedly improved survival when facing sources of cellular stress. Furthermore, we show that ketone bodies, specifically β-hydroxybutyrate, directly promote MuSC deep quiescence via a nonmetabolic mechanism. We show that β-hydroxybutyrate functions as an HDAC inhibitor within MuSCs, leading to acetylation and activation of an HDAC1 target protein p53. Finally, we demonstrate that p53 activation contributes to the deep quiescence and enhanced resilience observed during fasting.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.04.012

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  • Fasting enhances MuSC resilience to a variety of stresses.

    “In muscle, fasting, while impairing the regenerative activity of MuSCs, enhances their resilience to a variety of stresses215.”

    From Ageing and rejuvenation of tissue stem cells and their niches (2023) · cites this paper as [215]

  • The beneficial effects of fasting on MuSC resilience can be mimicked by a ketogenic diet or by direct administration of ketone bodies.

    “The beneficial effects of fasting on MuSC resilience can be mimicked by a ketogenic diet or by direct administration of ketone bodies215.”

    From Ageing and rejuvenation of tissue stem cells and their niches (2023) · cites this paper as [215]

  • Fasting impairs the regenerative activity of MuSCs.

    “In muscle, fasting, while impairing the regenerative activity of MuSCs, enhances their resilience to a variety of stresses215.”

    From Ageing and rejuvenation of tissue stem cells and their niches (2023) · cites this paper as [215]

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Catabolism FA (2008). Fatty Acid Catabolism 17 1. In Cycle, Ahr K, ed. (New York: W.H. Freeman and Company), pp. 199– 210.
  2. Ling Liu, Cheung TH, C.G. and R.T. (2016). Isolation of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting. Natture Protoc. 10, 1612– 1624. PMC4793971 26401916

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Authors
Benjamin, D. I., Both, P., Benjamin, J. S., Nutter, C. W., Tan, J. H., Kang, J., Machado, L. A., Klein, J. D. D., de Morree, A., Kim, S., Liu, L., Dulay, H., Feraboli, L., Louie, S. M., Nomura, D. K., & Rando, T. A.
Affiliations
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • VA Palo Alto Health Care System (US)
Corresponding author
Rando, Thomas A.
Venue
Cell Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-06
Volume
34
Issue
6
Pages
902-918.e6
ISSN
1550-4131 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4280490566
Cited by
79
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8
FWCI
5.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Buck Institute for Research on Aging (T32AG000266-21)
  • National Institutes of Health (1 T32 GM 119995-1 A1)
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (P01 AG036695, R01 AR073248, R37 AG023806)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
fasting, muscle stem cells, ketone bodies, beta-hydroxybutyrate, ketosis, ketogenic diet, muscle regeneration, refeeding, HDAC1, p53, histone acetylation, quiescence
MeSH terms
Fasting, Muscles, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Myoblasts

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