Overview Structure two types acetoacetate β-hydroxybutyrate login to view 2 more bullets 1 ketone body = 2 acetyl-CoA Function produced by the liver brain can use ketones if glucose supplies fall login to view 1 more bullet can provide energy to body in prolonged energy needs prolonged starvation login to view 1 more bullet can provide energy if citric acid cycle unable to function diabetic ketoacidosis login to view 1 more bullet alcoholism login to view 2 more bullets RBCs cannot use ketones as they lack mitochondria Synthesis occurs in hepatocyte mitochondria liver cannot use ketones as energy login to view 1 more bullet under normal conditions acetoacetate = β-hydroxybutyrate HMG CoA synthase is rate limiting enzyme Clinical relevance ketoacidosis pathogenesis login to view 7 more bullets presentation login to view 5 more bullets tests login to view 10 more bullets