Ketone body metabolism in ascorbic acid deficiency: in vivo utilization of ketone bodies in guinea pigs

Abstract

Blood and urinary levels of ketone bodies were studied in normal, ascorbic acid-deficient, and pair-fed control, guinea pigs. The resting levels of ketone bodies in the blood and urine throughout the course of ascorbic acid-deficiency do not differ significantly from those of control animals. The ketonemic response to fasting is greater in the control animals than in the ascorbic acid-deficient animals. The disappearance of injected ketone bodies (ß-hydroxybutyrate) is decreased in the ascorbic acid-deficient animal. The data suggest that in ascorbic acid-deficiency there is a decreased utilization of ketone bodies coupled with a decreased spontaneous ketogenesis.