Ketone Body Assay Kit

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Ketone bodies sometimes referred to as ketones are small lipid-derived molecules including acetoacetate beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone each with specific molecular masses. These molecules are produced in the liver during the breakdown of fatty acids and are soluble in water. Ketone bodies transport energy from the liver to other tissues particularly when glucose levels are low. They serve as an alternative energy source for almost all organ systems including the heart and brain and are detectable using ketone test kits or ketosis test kits.

Biological function summary

Ketone bodies function as a significant fuel source during prolonged fasting carbohydrate restriction or strenuous exercise. They do not typically exist as part of a complex but instead circulate freely in the bloodstream. Ketone bodies can cross the blood-brain barrier to supply energy to the brain when glucose is scarce. Their production and utilization are part of normal metabolic processes aimed at maintaining energy homeostasis especially under conditions where glucose availability is limited.

Pathways

Ketone bodies are integral to the ketogenic metabolic pathway which is important in energy metabolism during periods of low carbohydrate intake. They are interlinked with the fatty acid oxidation pathway an important process in energy production. Specific proteins like carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1) regulate the entry of fatty acids into the mitochondria for oxidation further connecting to ketone synthesis. Similarly the enzyme HMG-CoA lyase is vital during the ketogenesis process highlighting ketone bodies' involvement in metabolic pathways.

Associated diseases and disorders

Ketone bodies have a significant connection to diabetic ketoacidosis and epilepsy. In diabetic ketoacidosis a dangerous accumulation of ketone bodies occurs due to inadequate insulin action leading to acidosis. The enzyme insulin which normally helps in glucose uptake and utilization plays a central role in this disorder. In epilepsy a ketogenic diet that promotes ketone body production helps manage seizures. The diet's metabolic influence on neurons involves alterations in neurotransmitter levels and energy substrate availability.