β-Hydroxybutyrate, also known as 3-Hydroxy-butyrate, is a ketone body primarily synthesized in the liver from the oxidation of fatty acids. Ketone body formation, ketogenesis, is elevated when blood glucose levels drop. Moderately elevated blood ketone bodies occur normally during fasting and prolonged exercise. During alcoholic or diabetic ketoacidosis, blood levels of β-hydroxybutyrate can rise to abnormally high levels. β-hydroxybutyrate can be used as a marker for hepatic energy metabolism. β-hydroxybutyrate formation increases with excessive acetyl-CoA, and serves as a source of energy to the brain.

β-Hydroxybutyrate Assay Kit has been used

• to quantify the level of β-hydroxybutyrate in plasma/serum
• to study the change in myocardial 18F-FDG uptake upon extended ketogenic diet, by measuring the level of plasma ketone bodies
• to study the role of β-hydroxybutyrate in the treatment of impairment and neuropathic pain in spinal cord-injured mice

Suitable for the measurement β-Hydroxybutyrate levels in biological samples including serum and urine

In this assay, β-Hydroxybutyrate concentration is determined by a coupled enzyme reaction, which results in a colorimetric (450 nm) product, proportional to the β-Hydroxybutyrate present.