2Hydroxybutyric

2-Hydroxybutyric acid, also known as alpha-hydroxybutyric acid or simply 2-hydroxybutanoate in its anionic form, is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C4H8O3. It is a chiral molecule, existing as two enantiomers: (R)-2-hydroxybutyric acid and (S)-2-hydroxybutyric acid. It is a metabolite involved in cellular processes and can be found in biological systems.

This compound is an isomer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, which is a well-known ketone body. 2-Hydroxybutyric acid is produced in the body, primarily through the metabolism of threonine, an essential amino acid. It can also be formed from the breakdown of methionine and cysteine. Its presence in biological fluids, such as blood and urine, can be influenced by various physiological and pathological conditions.

Elevated levels of 2-hydroxybutyric acid have been observed in certain metabolic disorders and in conditions related to oxidative stress. It is sometimes used as a biomarker in clinical diagnostics. The precise roles and metabolic pathways of 2-hydroxybutyric acid are areas of ongoing research.