2. The compounds namely acetone, acetoacetate and β-
hydroxybutyrate (or 3-hydroxybutyrate) are known as
ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are water-soluble and
energy yielding.
3. KETOGENESIS (SYNTHESIS OF KETONE BODIES)
The synthesis of ketone bodies occurs in the
Liver. The enzymes for ketone body synthesis
are Located in the mitochondrial matrix.
6. ketone bodies-acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate serve as important
sources of energy for the peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle, cardiac
muscle, renal cortex etc.
when glucose is in short supply to the tissues, during starvation, and
diabetes mellitus, ketone bodies serve as the major fuel source for the
brain and other parts of central nervous system.
7.
8. Overproduction of ketone bodies
When the rate of synthesis of ketone bodies exceeds the rate of utilization, their
concentration in blood increases, this is known as ketonemia and ketonuria occurs.
Diabetes mellitus is associated with insulin deficiency, results in impaired carbohydrate
metabolism and increased lipolysis, both of them ultimately leading to the accumulation
of acetyl CoA and its conversion to ketone bodies.
9. HARMONAL REGULATION OF KETOGENESIS
The hormone glucagon stimulates ketogenesis whereas insulin inhibits ketogenesis
Ketoacidosis
As acetoacetate and p-hydroxybutyrate are strong acids (pKa =4), increase in their concentration in
blood would cause acidosis. the ketone bodies in the blood dissociate and release H+ ions which lower
the ph. Diabetic ketoacidosis is dangerous-may result in coma, and even death.
10. TREATMENT
Diabetic ketoacidosis is required to correct the metabolic abnormalities and the
associated water and electrolyte imbalance. Administration of insulin is necessary to
stimulate uptake of glucose by tissues and inhibition of ketogenesis.
