title: β-Hydroxybutyrate: A signaling metabolite in starvation response?
abstract: Ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and acetoacetate are important metabolic substrates for energy production during prolonged fasting. However, BHB also has signaling functions. Through several metabolic pathways or processes, BHB modulates nutrient utilization and energy expenditure. These findings suggest that BHB is not solely a metabolic intermediate, but also acts as a signal to regulate metabolism and maintain energy homeostasis during nutrient deprivation. We briefly summarize the metabolism and emerging physiological functions of ketone bodies and highlight the potential role for BHB as a signaling molecule in starvation response.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rojas-Morales
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Renal, Departamento de Nefrología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología - Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Edilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: pedraza@unam.mx.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pedraza-Chaverri
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007657:Ketone Bodies; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
keywords: Autophagy; Energy expenditure; Signaling; Starvation; β-Hydroxybutyrate