You are performing comparative tests on 2 individuals. Analysis of their blood indicates that they both have elevated levels of ketone bodies. One test subject has been on an extended fast while the other is a patient who poorly controls her Type 1 diabetes. Which of the following is a common factor that is responsible for ketosis in both of these individuals?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both fasting and poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes lead to increased fatty acid breakdown, resulting in elevated acetyl-CoA levels, which are then converted into ketone bodies.  Type 1 diabetes is not only associated with loss of insulin secretion but also abnormal secretion of glucagon. An individual on a fast would have reduced levels of blood glucose and the compensation for this would be increased secretion of glucagon to stimulate gluconeogenesis in the liver. Associated with increased glucagon secretion is activation of adipose tissue lipolysis. The released fatty acids are taken up primarily by the liver where they are oxidized to acetyl-CoA. In both the T1D patient and the fasting individual this increased production of acetyl-CoA will lead to increased ketone synthesis.

You Are Performing Comparative Tests on 2 Individuals