Acetoacetate is a ketone body, which is a molecule produced in the liver from fatty acids during times of fasting or low carbohydrate intake. It is one of three ketone bodies produced by the liver, along with beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone.
In medicine, acetoacetate can be measured in the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose and monitor certain conditions. For example, it can be used to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes in which high levels of ketone bodies, including acetoacetate, accumulate in the blood. Acetoacetate levels can also be monitored in people with epilepsy who are following a ketogenic diet, which is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce seizures in some people with epilepsy.
In addition to its diagnostic and monitoring uses, acetoacetate is being studied for its potential therapeutic uses. For example, some research has suggested that increasing ketone body production, including acetoacetate, through dietary or supplement interventions, may have beneficial effects for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential therapeutic uses of acetoacetate and other ketone bodies.
In summary, acetoacetate is a ketone body produced in the liver during times of fasting or low carbohydrate intake. It can be measured in the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose and monitor certain conditions, and is being studied for its potential therapeutic uses.
