THE KETOTIC RATIO (KB/NEFA) IN MAN

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Abstract
1. The 'ketotic ratio', which is defined as the plasma ketone-body concentration divided by the plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration, is potentially useful in predicting the magnitude of the ketone response to a given increment in plasma fatty acid concentration. 2. Two parameters of the ketotic ratio were studied. First, a comparison of the basal plasma ketotic ratio with the ketotic ratio following an acute heparin-induced increase in nonesterified fatty acid concentration was made. Second, the effect upon the ketotic ratio of noradrenaline which has been reported to increase the plasma ketone-body concentration independent of the change in plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration, was determined. 3. The results suggest that the basal ketotic ratio has predictive value in estimating the rise in plasma ketone-body concentration following an acute increase in plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration. When noradrenaline was given to increase plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration, this predictive value was still valid, although a steeper regression line was obtained. Thus, the ketotic ratio is a non-invasive in vivo technique which provides insight into the direct ketotic activity of hormones independent of their lipolytic effects.