1. A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite
Brianna J Stubbs, Pete J Cox, Malgorzata Cyranka, Rhys D Evans, Heidi de Wet, Kieran Clarke Obesity (Silver Spring) . 2018 Feb;26(2):269-273. doi: 10.1002/oby.22051.
Objective:The ketones d-β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetoacetate are elevated during prolonged fasting or during a "ketogenic" diet. Although weight loss on a ketogenic diet may be associated with decreased appetite and altered gut hormone levels, it is unknown whether such changes are caused by elevated blood ketones. This study investigated the effects of an exogenous ketone ester (KE) on appetite.Methods:Following an overnight fast, subjects with normal weight (n = 15) consumed 1.9 kcal/kg of KE, or isocaloric dextrose (DEXT), in drinks matched for volume, taste, tonicity, and color. Blood samples were analyzed for BHB, glucose, insulin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), and a three-measure visual analogue scale was used to measure hunger, fullness, and desire to eat.Results:KE consumption increased blood BHB levels from 0.2 to 3.3 mM after 60 minutes. DEXT consumption increased plasma glucose levels between 30 and 60 minutes. Postprandial plasma insulin, ghrelin, GLP-1, and PYY levels were significantly lower 2 to 4 hours after KE consumption, compared with DEXT consumption. Temporally related to the observed suppression of ghrelin, reported hunger and desire to eat were also significantly suppressed 1.5 hours after consumption of KE, compared with consumption of DEXT.Conclusions:Increased blood ketone levels may directly suppress appetite, as KE drinks lowered plasma ghrelin levels, perceived hunger, and desire to eat.
2. Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Ester Dance/Decarbonylative Coupling Reactions
Eisuke Ota, Naomi Inayama, Junichiro Yamaguchi, Masayuki Kubo Org Lett . 2022 Jun 3;24(21):3855-3860. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c01432.
"Dance reaction" on the aromatic ring is a powerful method in organic chemistry to translocate functional groups on arene scaffolds. Notably, dance reactions of halides and pseudohalides offer a unique platform for the divergent synthesis of substituted (hetero)aromatic compounds when combined with transition-metal-catalyzed coupling reactions. Herein, we report a tandem reaction of ester dance and decarbonylative coupling enabled by palladium catalysis. In this reaction, 1,2-translocation of the ester moiety on the aromatic ring is followed by decarbonylative coupling with nucleophiles to enable the installation of a variety of nucleophiles at the position adjacent to the ester in the starting material.
3. Safety Assessment of Saccharide Esters as Used in Cosmetics
Ronald A Hill, Ronald C Shank, Paul W Snyder, Thomas J Slaga, Curtis D Klaassen, Donald V Belsito, Bart Heldreth, James G Marks Jr, Daniel C Liebler, Laura N Scott, Wilma F Bergfeld, Lillian J Gill Int J Toxicol . 2021 Oct;40(2_suppl):52S-116S. doi: 10.1177/10915818211016378.
This is a safety assessment of 40 saccharide ester ingredients as used in cosmetics. The saccharide esters are reported to function in cosmetics as emollients, skin-conditioning agents, fragrance ingredients, and emulsion stabilizers. The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) reviewed the relevant data for these ingredients. The Panel concluded that the saccharide esters are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentrations described in this safety assessment.
