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Ketone body metabolism and its defects
Author(s) -
Fukao Toshiyuki,
Mitchell Grant,
Sass Jörn Oliver,
Hori Tomohiro,
Orii Kenji,
Aoyama Yuka
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of inherited metabolic disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1573-2665
pISSN - 0141-8955
DOI - 10.1007/s10545-014-9704-9
Subject(s) - ketogenesis , ketone bodies , ketosis , endocrinology , medicine , beta oxidation , ketogenic diet , newborn screening , hypoglycemia , metabolism , diabetes mellitus , epilepsy , pediatrics , psychiatry
Abstract Acetoacetate (AcAc) and 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3HB), the two main ketone bodies of humans, are important vectors of energy transport from the liver to extrahepatic tissues, especially during fasting, when glucose supply is low. Blood total ketone body (TKB) levels should be evaluated in the context of clinical history, such as fasting time and ketogenic stresses. Blood TKB should also be evaluated in parallel with blood glucose and free fatty acids (FFA). The FFA/TKB ratio is especially useful for evaluation of ketone body metabolism. Defects in ketogenesis include mitochondrial HMG‐CoA synthase (mHS) deficiency and HMG‐CoA lyase (HL) deficiency. mHS deficiency should be considered in non‐ketotic hypoglycemia if a fatty acid beta‐oxidation defect is suspected, but cannot be confirmed. Patients with HL deficiency can develop hypoglycemic crises and neurological symptoms even in adolescents and adults. Succinyl‐CoA‐3‐oxoacid CoA transferase (SCOT) deficiency and beta‐ketothiolase (T2) deficiency are two defects in ketolysis. Permanent ketosis is pathognomonic for SCOT deficiency. However, patients with “mild” SCOT mutations may have nonketotic periods. T2‐deficient patients with “mild” mutations may have normal blood acylcarnitine profiles even in ketoacidotic crises. T2 deficient patients cannot be detected in a reliable manner by newborn screening using acylcarnitines. We review recent data on clinical presentation, metabolite profiles and the course of these diseases in adults, including in pregnancy.