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AAT Bioquest

Where are ketone bodies made?

Posted October 23, 2023


Answer

Ketones bodies are synthesized in the liver. More specifically, ketone bodies are synthesized through acetyl-CoA. The three ketone bodies produced from acetyl-CoA include: β-hydroxybutyrate, acetone, and acetoacetate. Acetyl-CoA is converted to acetoacetate via 2 metabolic pathways. One pathway involves condensation of 2 acetyl-CoA units and the other pathway uses 3 molecules of acetyl-CoA. The acetoacetate is then metabolized to form acetone or β-hydroxybutyrate.

Additional resources

Ketone bodies

Screen Quest™ Fluorimetric Fatty Acid Uptake Assay Kit