Why are ketones in dka?
1 Answer
Diabetic ketosis (DKA) produces ketones because they are the products of the metabolism of fats.
Explanation:
When the body can't produce enough insulin to help glucose to enter the cells, it begins to break down fats as a source of energy.
The process results in a buildup of three ketone bodies — acetoacetate (a β-keto acid), β-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), and acetone —in the bloodstream.
(from dtc.ucsf.edu)
What is happening
Fatty acids are broken down by progressively cleaving two carbon bits and converting these to acetyl-CoA.
The acetyl CoA is converted to acetoacetate (a β-ketoacid) and β-hydroxybutyrate (3HB).
The acetoacetate spontaneously decarboxylates to form acetone, while the 3HB serves as the alternate energy source.
Persons with DKA often have the characteristic fruity odour of "acetone breath" that is caused by excess acetone in the bloodstream.
