Ketogenesis

Ketogenesis is a metabolic process that makes ketone bodies, which are another source of energy for the body. The body is always making small amounts of ketone bodies that can make 22 ATP each in normal circumstances. Most of the time, insulin is controlling this process. At the same time that there are less carbohydrates or more fatty acids in your body, your body makes more ketone bodies. However, ketoacidosis can happen if too many ketone bodies build up, like in uncontrolled diabetes.

Definition of ketogenesis

Ketogenesis is a catabolic metabolic process. Fatty acids and certain ketogenic amino acids are broken down in this process to generate energy through other ways. The ketogenesis process results in the formation of ketones.Our bodies continuously create ketone bodies in trace amounts, but in certain circumstances, such as starvation, when carbs are scarce, ketogenesis is favoured to meet energy requirements. Ketone bodies accumulated in excess can result in a potentially lethal illness called ketoacidosis.

Ketone Substances

In the liver mitochondria, fatty acids undergo -oxidation to generate a large quantity of energy and make three substances known as “ketone bodies.” These ketone bodies are soluble in water and do not require lipoproteins for membrane transfer. Ketone bodies are lipid molecules with a carbonyl group and two -R groups attached.

Acetoacetate, D-3-hydroxybutyrate, and Acetone are the three ketone molecules produced.

Pathway of Ketogenesis

Our body generally obtains energy through the process of glycogenolysis (glycogen glucose) or through the process of gluconeogenesis (from non-carbohydrate sources such as lactate).

Ketogenesis occurs continually in a healthy individual, however when fatty acid concentrations are elevated or carbohydrate reserves are depleted, ketogenesis occurs at a faster rate:

• When blood glucose levels are low, as they are during fasting or hunger

• When a carbohydrate resource, such as glycogen, is depleted

• When insulin levels are insufficient, e.g. Diabetes type 1

All major human organs, including the brain, skeletal muscles, and heart, may utilize the energy generated by ketogenesis.

Inadequate gluconeogenesis results in hypoglycemia and an abnormally high level of ketone bodies, resulting in the deadly condition known as ketoacidosis.

Steps in Ketogenesis

Ketogenesis is essentially a process that occurs in the mitochondria of liver cells. The following are the steps involved in the ketogenesis process:

1. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase catalyses the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. -oxidation of fatty acids by CPT-1 to produce acetyl CoA

2. Acetoacetyl-CoA synthesis: Two acetyl CoA combine to generate acetoacetyl CoA. The step is performed by the enzyme thiolase 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthesis: HMG-CoA synthase catalyses the step

3. Acetoacetate formation: HMG-CoA is degraded by HMG-CoA lyase to generate acetoacetate and acetyl-CoA

The Importance of Ketogenesis

• Under fasting conditions, the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles employ ketogenesis to obtain energy

• Nowadays, the ketogenic diet (low-carb, high-fat) is utilized to lose weight. While the goal is to burn extra fat stored in the body for energy, excessive ketone body production can result in a variety of problems, including ketoacidosis

• When a person is in ketoacidosis, the kidneys expel excess ketone bodies together with water, resulting in fluid loss

• Diabetes patients are disproportionately impacted by ketoacidosis, as insulin is the primary regulator of the condition

• Ketoacidosis symptoms include frequent urination, breath that smells like fruits or acetone, nausea, shortness of breath, exhaustion, and an insatiable thirst

• The presence of ketone bodies in the body can be determined through blood serum or urine sample analysis

Conclusion 

From the following article we can conclude that Ketogenesis is a metabolic route that results in the formation of ketone bodies, which serve as an alternative energy source for the body. The body is constantly creating little amounts of ketone bodies capable of producing 22 ATP apiece, which is primarily regulated by insulin.