Beetahydroksibutyraattiksi

Beetahydroksibutyraattiksi is the Finnish term for beta‑hydroxybutyrate, a short‑chain ketone body produced during the catabolism of fatty acids in the liver. Its systematic chemical name is 3-hydroxybutan‑2‑one, and it is also known as 3‑hydroxy‑2‑butanone or β‑hydroxybutyrate. The compound is a ketone with a hydroxyl group at the third carbon and a ketone functional group at the second carbon. It is a colorless, odorless liquid that is stable in aqueous solutions and soluble in alcohol.

In human metabolism, beetahydroksibutyraattiksi accumulates when carbohydrate intake is low, during prolonged exercise, or in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. It is synthesized from acetoacetyl‑CoA and acetyl‑CoA through the action of the enzyme β‑hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, which reduces acetoacetate. The body can also interconvert β‑hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate via the same enzyme in an oxidation‑reduction reaction, allowing for efficient utilization of ketone bodies as fuel in peripheral tissues, including muscle and the brain. As an energy source, beetahydroksibutyraattiksi can supply up to 70% of the brain’s energy requirement during prolonged fasting or a ketogenic diet.

Medical research has investigated beetahydroksibutyraattiksi as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic conditions. Elevated plasma levels of β‑hydroxybutyrate have been associated with improved neuronal survival, anti‑inflammatory effects, and reduced oxidative stress. It has also been used in experimental models of ischemia, where it may provide substrate flexibility for damaged tissues.

The compound is produced industrially through chemical synthesis from diethyl succinate, or by microbial fermentation methods that convert glucose to β‑hydroxybutyrate. Safety handling requires standard precautions for ketone solutions, and it is regulated under pharmacological guidelines in many jurisdictions.