Catheterization of cerebral vessels in three obese patients undergoing 5-6 wk of starvation demonstrated that beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate replaced glucose as the predominant fuel for brain metabolism. A strikingly low respiratory quotient was also observed, suggesting a carboxylation mechanism as a means of disposing of some of the carbon of the consumed substrates.

Short periods of complete starvation have been shown to resut in increased BSP retention. diminution of liver fat and glycogen, and an increase in prominence of hepotic fibrous tissu in human subjects.