Ketone Body Synthesis & Utilization

Question 1

Ketoacidotic Coma

Answer 1

Diabetes Mellitis Type I

dehydration
low blood pressure
deep and rapid breathing
(Kussmaul breathing)

• fruity odor breath (acetone)
• urine positive for ketones

-elevated blood ketone levels
-lypolysis of adipose tissue is
excessive and uncontrolled (due
to low levels of circulating insulin)
-ketonemia: production of ketone
bodies is greater than the rate of
keton body use by peripheral
tissues
-ketonuria: ketone bodies excreted
in urine

Question 2

Hypoketonemia

Answer 2

Deficiency: B‐oxidation

Possible Causes

• carnitine deficiency
• systemic CPT I deficiency
• jamaican vomitting

due to low rates of B‐oxidation,
Acetyl CoA is not formed and
ketone bodies are NOT formed in
the liver

Question 3

Ketogenic Diets

Answer 3

-high‐fat, low carbohydrate
induces ketosis

**low carb diets are ketogenic

**ketogenic diets have also been
used in the management of
epilepsy in children