The biochemistry of ketogenesis and its role in weight management, neurological disease and oxidative stress
- PDF / 302,568 Bytes
- 11 Pages / 547.087 x 737.008 pts Page_size
- 31 Downloads / 201 Views
MINI REVIEW
The biochemistry of ketogenesis and its role in weight management, neurological disease and oxidative stress Peter Andrew C. McPherson & Jane McEneny
Received: 10 July 2011 / Accepted: 30 August 2011 / Published online: 8 October 2011 # University of Navarra 2011
Abstract Ketogenesis is the branch of mammalian metabolism concerned with the synthesis of ketone bodies. In this process, the small, water-soluble compounds acetoacetate, D-3-β-hydroxybutyrate and propanone are produced by the liver in response to reduced glucose availability. Although ketone bodies are always present at a low level in healthy individuals, dietary manipulation and certain pathological conditions can increase the levels of these compounds in vivo. In some instances, such as in refractory epilepsy, high levels of ketone bodies can be beneficial—in this instance, by exerting an anticonvulsant effect. Conversely, if the levels of ketones rise to supraphysiological levels, as can occur in diabetes mellitus, a state of ketoacidosis can occur, which has serious consequences for cellular function. More recently, research has identified a possible link between ketogenesis and free radical-mediated pathologies, highlighting the potential application of ketogenic diets to the treatment of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Overall, an understanding of ketone body
P. A. C. McPherson (*) Belfast Metropolitan College, Titanic Quarter Campus, School of Applied Science (Chemistry), Belfast, Northern Ireland BT3 9DT, UK e-mail: [email protected] J. McEneny Queen’s University Belfast, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Belfast, UK
metabolism and its links to human disease may prove to be vital in developing new regimens for the treatment of human disease. Keywords Alzheimer's disease . Atkin's diet . Epilepsy . Diabetes . Free radicals . Ketogenic diets . Ketone bodies . Oxidative stress
Introduction Mammals have evolved to utilize carbohydrate as their primary source of metabolic fuel, extracting energy through a series of intricate biochemical pathways. Yet, since the early days of medicine, it has been known that by restricting our dietary intake of carbohydrate, we can significantly alter the course of certain diseases, such as epilepsy. In his work Epidemics, a volume within the Hippocratic Corpus, Hippocrates stated that “epilepsy is cured as quickly as it had appeared, through complete abstinence of food and drink” [40]. While Hippocrates had certainly no concept of the metabolic pathways he was manipulating, his early theories have stood the test of time, and research into low carbohydrate, high fats diets has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. To fully appreciate the clinical utility of such diets, we must first understand the changes in mammalian biochemistry brought about by such a regime. This involves a study of the basic pathways of mammalian metabolism.
142
Mammalian metabolism Normal metabolism In the well-fed state, mammals derive much of their metabolic energy from carbohydrates, with
Data Loading...
