
What is another name for alpha ketoglutarate?
Other names: AKG, α-KG, 2-oxoglutarate, 2OG Alpha-Ketoglutarate is an organic acid that is important for the proper metabolism of all essential amino acids. It is formed in the Krebs cycle, the energy-producing process that occurs in most body cells.
What is alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)?
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), also referred to as 2-ketoglutaric acid, 2-oxoglutamate, 2-oxoglutaric acid, oxoglutaric acid and 2-oxopentanedioic acid ( Harrison and Pierzynowski, 2008 ), is a rate-determining intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and has a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism.
What is the difference between alpha and beta ketoglutaric acid?
The term " ketoglutaric acid ," when not further qualified, almost always refers to the alpha variant. β-Ketoglutaric acid varies only by the position of the ketone functional group, and is much less common. Its carboxylate, α-ketoglutarate (also called 2-oxoglutarate ), is an important biological compound.
What is α-ketoglutarate in Krebs cycle?
α-Ketoglutarate is a key intermediate in the Krebs cycle, coming after isocitrate and before succinyl CoA. Anaplerotic reactions can replenish the cycle at this juncture by synthesizing α-ketoglutarate from transamination of glutamate, or through action of glutamate dehydrogenase on glutamate.
How does it work ?
How long is alpha ketoglutarate safe?
What is the purpose of the CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION?
What is the chemical that is found in the body?
Why do we give alpha ketoglutarate?
Can you take alpha ketoglutarate while pregnant?
Does alpha ketoglutarate help Achilles tendon pain?
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Where is alpha-ketoglutarate found?
Overview. Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine. Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease, intestinal and stomach disorders, and many other conditions but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
How is alpha-ketoglutarate produced?
α-Ketoglutarate can be produced by: Oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate by isocitrate dehydrogenase. Oxidative deamination of glutamate by glutamate dehydrogenase. From galacturonic acid by the organism Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
What is the purpose of alpha-ketoglutarate?
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle determining the overall rate of the citric acid cycle of the organism. It is a nitrogen scavenger and a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles.
What amino acids make alpha-ketoglutarate?
Its anion, Alpha-ketoglutarate (also called oxo-glutarate) is an important biological compound. It is the keto acid produced by de-amination of glutamate, and is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle.
Is AKG anti aging?
The molecule grabbed attention as a possible antiaging treatment in 2014, when researchers reported AKG could extend life span by more than 50% in tiny Caenorhabditis elegans worms. That's on par with a low-calorie diet, which has been shown to promote healthy aging, but is hard for most people to stick with.
What is alpha-ketoglutarate deficiency?
Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase deficiency is a congenital error of an enzyme in the citric acid cycle. It is thought to be caused by low molar ratios of ketone bodies in the plasma of neonates with congenital lactic acidosis.
What is AKG found in?
AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) is the nitrogen-free portion of the amino acids known as glutamine and glutamic acid. It is formed in the Krebs cycle, the energy-producing process that occurs in most body cells.
Is alpha-ketoglutarate toxic?
Abstract. Oral treatment of alpha-ketoglutarate (A-KG) is known to antagonise experimental cyanide poisoning in rodents. Maximum protective efficacy of A-KG has been observed at a dose of 2.0 g kg-1 body weight but no acute toxicity has been observed at this dose level.
How much AKG can I take?
The doses of AKG in athletes vary from 1 to 15 grams a day. As a sports ergogenic aid, AKG should be taken 1000-3000 mg about 30 minutes before exercise. To enhance the effects of AKG, it is better to take 100-150 mg of vitamin B6 along with it. For exercise recovery, a higher dose of AKG (5000-10000 mg) is required.
Is alpha-ketoglutarate the same as arginine?
Definition. L-arginine refers to an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins while arginine AKG refers to a salt of the amino acid arginine and alpha-ketoglutaric acid marketed as a bodybuilding supplement. Thus, this is the main difference between L arginine and arginine AKG.
Is alpha-ketoglutarate an enzyme?
Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH) is a highly regulated enzyme, which could determine the metabolic flux through the Krebs cycle. It catalyses the conversion of α-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA and produces NADH directly providing electrons for the respiratory chain.
Can alpha-ketoglutarate be converted to glutamate?
The α-ketoglutarate is then converted to glutamate by the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction or via transamination.
Alpha-ketoglutarate: Uses, Side Effects, Dose, Health Benefits ...
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine. Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease; intestinal and stomach disorders, including bacterial infections; liver problems; cataracts; and recurring yeast infections.It is also used for improving the way kidney patients receiving hemodialysis treatments process protein.
ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG) - Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD
Learn more about ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG) uses, effectiveness, possible side effects, interactions, dosage, user ratings and products that contain ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG).
Alpha-ketoglutarate Supplement: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, Dose ...
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine. Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease; intestinal and stomach disorders, including bacterial infections; liver problems; cataracts; and recurring yeast infections.It is also used for improving the way kidney patients receiving hemodialysis treatments process protein.
Alpha-ketoglutarate: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose ... - RxList
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine. Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease; intestinal and stomach disorders, including bacterial infections; liver problems; cataracts; and recurring yeast infections.
Adverse effects associated with arginine alpha-ketoglutarate ... - PubMed
The athletic performance supplement industry is a multibillion-dollar business and one popular category claims to increase nitric oxide (NO) production. We report three patients presenting to the emergency department with adverse effects. A 33-year-old man presented with palpitations, dizziness, vom …
How does AKG affect bone?
Both ornithine and arginine stimulate the secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) (Harrison et al., 2004; Fayh et al., 2007). The osteotropic effect of functional axis GH-IGF-I is widely known and well described (Giustina et al., 2008; Tritos and Biller, 2009). AKG may also affect bone structure by the interaction of glutamate-glutamate receptors (GluR). The presence of GluR has been confirmed on osteoblasts (Gu et al., 2002) and osteoclasts (Mentaverri et al., 2003), whereas Genever et al(Spencer et al., 2007) reported its significance in bone tissue metabolism. Additionally, there is a preliminary evidence to show that dietary AKG counteracts the bone losses in rats with experimental osteopenia induced by ovariectomy (Bieńko et al., 2002; Radzki et al., 2002) and fundectomy (Dobrowolski et al., 2008). Although we can infer the importance of AKG in collagen metabolism based on these studies, the direct effects of AKG on collagen production have yet to be reported.
What is the role of AKG in cellular metabolism?
In the cellular metabolism, AKG provides an important source of glutamine and glutamate that stimulates protein synthesis, inhibits protein degradation in muscle, and constitutes an important metabolic fuel for cells of the gastrointestinal tract (Hixt and Müller, 1996; Jones et al., 1999). Glutamine is an energy source for all types of cells in the organism constituting more than 60% of the total amino acid pool, so AKG as a precursor of glutamine, is a main source of energy for intestinal cells and a preferred substrate for both enterocytes and other rapidly dividing cells. In addition, glutamate, released from nerve fibers in bone tissue, is synthesized by the reductive amination of AKG in peri-vein hepatocytes (Stoll et al., 1991) and can give rise to an increase in proline synthesis, which plays a central role in the synthesis of collagen (Kristensen et al., 2002). In the liver, glutamine serves as a precursor for ureagenesis, gluconeogenesis and acute phase protein synthesis (Espat et al., 1996; Alpers, 2006), plays an important role in the inter-organ flow of nitrogen and carbon. Glutamine has traditionally been considered to be a non-essential amino acid in health, but in catabolic states and stress, it is an essential fuel source for cells of the gastrointestinal tract, rapidly dividing leucocytes and macrophages in the immune system and can be rapidly depleted despite the significant release from muscle tissue (Śliwa et al., 2009). Otherwise, it was also shown that AKG can improve absorption of Fe2+. Thus, AKG and its derivatives can play a role as a Fe2+absorption enhancer both in rapidly growing animals and humans with Fe2+insufficiency (Dąbek et al., 2005). Furthermore, AKG, ascorbate and Fe2+steer hydroxylation of peptide-bound proline to hydroxyproline via prolyl hydrolase, increasing the conversion of pro-collagen to collagen and bone matrix formation (Tocaj et al., 2003). Therefore, AKG is an important source of amino acids for collagen synthesis in the cell and organism.
What is AKG in the body?
AKG is also called the immune nutrient factor and it play an important role in the general immune metabolism (Abcouwer, 2000; Ziegler and Daignault, 2000; Yeh et al., 2004). It is already known that AKG is an important source of glutamine and glutamate, is defined as glutamine homologue and derivative (Pesty et al., 1997; Tapiero et al., 2002). Glutamine is an important fuel for lymphocytes and macrophages (Parry-Billings et al., 1990). Macrophages and neutrophils are involved in the early, non-specific host-defence responses and play an important role in the pathophysiology and/or protection against sepsis (Sawyer et al., 1989; Zimmerman and Ringer, 1992). Previous reports showed that during inflammatory states such as sepsis and injury, the consumption of glutamine by circulating and immune cells increases (Ashkanazi et al., 1980; Roth et al., 1982; Hammarqvist et al., 1989). Studies have revealed that supplemental glutamine augments the in vitro bactericidal activity of neutrophils in burned or postoperative patients (Ogle et al., 1994; Furukawa et al., 2000). Parry-Billings et al. (1990)(Parry-Billings et al., 1990) reported that depressed glutamine concentrations were associated with reduced phagocytosis by murine peritoneal macrophages. The study by Gianotti et al. (1995)(Gianotti et al., 1995) showed that oral glutamine supplementation decreases bacterial translocation in experimental gut-origin sepsis. Thus, AKG as glutamine homologue has immuno-enhancing properties, can maintain a gut barrier, increase immune cells and the activity of neutrophils and phagocytosis, reduce bacterial translocation in vivo (Le Boucher and Cynober, 1997; Danbolt, 2001; MacFie and McNaught, 2002; Salvalaggio and Campos, 2002).
What is the role of AKG in the Krebs cycle?
It is a nitrogen scavenger and a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles. AKG as a precursor of glutamate and glutamine is a central metabolic fuel for cells of the gastrointestinal tract as well. AKG can decrease protein catabolism and increase protein synthesis to enhance bone tissue formation in the skeletal muscles and can be used in clinical applications. In addition to these health benefits, a recent study has shown that AKG can extend the lifespan of adult Caenorhabditis elegansby inhibiting ATP synthase and TOR. AKG not only extends lifespan, but also delays age-related disease. In this review, we will summarize the advances in AKG research field, in the content of its physiological functions and applications.
What animals have AKG?
AKG has been given to pigs (Kowalik et al., 2005; Andersen et al., 2008), turkeys (Tatara et al., 2005a; Tatara et al., 2005b), rats (Bieńko et al., 2002; Radzki et al., 2002) and sheep (Harrison et al., 2004; Tatara et al., 2007) with effects on the skeletal system and protein synthesis. Considering current knowledge of AKG, its metabolites and functions, it can be concluded that improved bone quality may be induced by higher glutamate synthesis and its utilization as signaling molecule in bone metabolism regulation (Stoll et al., 1991; Chenu, 2002a; Chenu, 2002b; Taylor, 2002). The other mechanism that may be involved in bone metabolism regulation by AKG is increased collagen formation as the result of higher proline synthesis and its following conversion to hydroxyproline, which was previously introduced (Kristensen et al., 2002).
What is the role of mitochondria in energy metabolism?
Mitochondrial ATP synthase is a significant ubiquitous enzyme in energy metabolism of virtually all living cells (Abrahams et al., 1994; Boyer, 1997). It is a membrane-bound rotary motor enzyme that is a key energy carrier for cellular energy metabolism. Chin et al(Chin et al., 2014) provided evidence that the lifespan increase by AKG requires ATP synthase subunit β and is dependent on target of rapamycin (TOR) downstream. They used a small-molecule target identification strategy termed drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) (Lomenick et al., 2009), found the ATP synthase subunit β is a novel binding protein of AKG. They discovered AKG inhibits ATP synthase, leads to reduced ATP content, decreased oxygen consumption, and increased autophagy in both C. elegansand mammalian cells, similar to ATP synthase 2 (ATP-2) knockdown. Together, the direct binding of ATP-2 by AKG, the related enzymatic inhibition, reduction in ATP levels and oxygen consumption, lifespan analysis, and other similarities to ATP-2 knockdown, they inferred AKG probably extends lifespan primarily by targeting ATP-2. In addition, previous studies also has shown that complete loss of mitochondrial function is detrimental, but partial suppression of the electron transport chain has been demonstrated to extend C. eleganslifespan (Tsang et al., 2001; Dillin et al., 2002; Lee et al., 2003; Curran and Ruvkun, 2007). Thus, AKG can inhibit the ATP synthase, so to achieve the effect of prolonging life is completely possible.
What are the key nutrients that influence the metabolism of a molecule?
Currently, the list includes fatty acids, vitamins, microelements, nucleic acids and specific amino acids. Common research in nutrient support is beginning to investigate exerting organ-specific effects by modulating metabolic processes rather than by simply improving nutrition. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), also referred to as 2-ketoglutaric acid, 2-oxoglutamate, 2-oxoglutaric acid, oxoglutaric acid and 2-oxopentanedioic acid (Harrison and Pierzynowski, 2008), is a rate-determining intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and has a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism. In cellular metabolism, the generation and decomposition of AKG involved in a variety of metabolic pathways. In the TCA cycle, AKG is decarboxylated to succinyl-CoA and CO2by AKG dehydrogenase (encoded by ogdh-1), a key control point of the TCA cycle. Otherwise, AKG can be generated from isocitrate by oxidative decarboxylation catalysed by isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH). Also, AKG can be produced anaplerotically from glutamate by oxidative deamination using glutamate dehydrogenase, and as a product of pyridoxal phosphate-dependent trans-amination reactions in which glutamate is a common amino donor. AKG can dissolve well in water, does not show toxic properties and its water solutions characterize has high stability.
What is the role of AKG in the Krebs cycle?
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle determining the overall rate of the citric acid cycle of the organism. It is a nitrogen scavenger and a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles. AKG as a precursor of glutamate and glutamine is a central metabolic ...
What is the function of alpha ketoglutarate?
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle determining the overall rate of the citric acid cycle of the organism. It is a nitrogen scavenger and a source of glutamate and glutamine that stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein degradation in muscles.
What is AKG in skeletal muscle?
AKG can decrease protein catabolism and increase protein synthesis to enhance bone tissue formation in the skeletal muscles and can be used in clinical applications.
What does it mean if your Alpha-Ketoglutarate result is too high?
High urine levels of alpha-KG can be found in people with hyperinsulinism-hyperammonemia syndrome (HHS).
What is the role of AKG in blood glucose?
AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) is the nitrogen-free portion of the amino acids known as glutamine and glutamic acid, which is involved in protein synthesis that may play a role in supporting healthy blood glucose levels. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) helps maintain normal levels of ammonia in the brain, muscles and kidneys, ...
Why is AKG important?
AKG is used by cells during growth and in healing from injuries and other wounds, and is especially important in the healing of muscle tissue.
What is the optimal creatinine level?
Optimal Result: 0 - 35 mcg/mg creatinine. Alpha-Ketoglutarate is an organic acid that is important for the proper metabolism of all essential amino acids. It is formed in the Krebs cycle, the energy-producing process that occurs in most body cells.
What is the process of releasing energy?
It is formed in the Krebs cycle, the energy-producing process that occurs in most body cells. The Krebs cycle (aka Citric Acid cycle) is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into ATP.
What is alpha ketoglutarate used for?
Overview. Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine. Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease ; intestinal and stomach disorders, including bacterial infections; liver problems; cataracts; and recurring yeast infections.
Why do people take alpha ketoglutarate?
Some people take alpha-ketoglutarate to improve peak athletic performance. Suppliers of athletic nutritional supplements claim alpha-ketoglutaric acid may be an important addition to proper diet and training for the athlete who wants peak performance.
How to report a drug problem to the FDA?
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Does calcium alpha ketoglutarate help with kidney failure?
Improving kidney failure treatment (hemodialysis). Taking calcium alpha-ketoglutarate seems to improve results of certain lab tests used to monitor the effectiveness of hemodialysis in patients receiving this treatment .
Can alpha ketoglutarate be used to reduce ammonia?
But, so far, the only studies that show alpha-ketoglutarate can reduce ammonia toxicity have been performed in hemodialysis patients.
Does Alpha Ketoglutarate help with muscle breakdown?
Preventing muscle breakdown. Alpha-ketoglutarate seems to reduce muscle breakdown after surgery or trauma.
Can you take alpha ketoglutarate while pregnant?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of alpha-ketoglutarate during pregnancy and breast-feeding . Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
How does it work ?
Alpha-ketoglutarate works in many pathways in the body, to help make muscle, and to help heal wounds.
How long is alpha ketoglutarate safe?
When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for up to 3 years. When given by IV: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when given by IV by a healthcare provider. Special Precautions and Warnings.
What is the purpose of the CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION?
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances.
What is the chemical that is found in the body?
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine.
Why do we give alpha ketoglutarate?
Healthcare providers sometimes give alpha-ketoglutarate intravenously (by IV) for preventing injury to the heart caused by blood flow problems during heart surgery and for preventing muscle breakdown after surgery or trauma .
Can you take alpha ketoglutarate while pregnant?
Pregnancy and breast -feeding: Not enough is known about the use of alpha-ketoglutarate during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Does alpha ketoglutarate help Achilles tendon pain?
It's unclear if the benefits are from alpha-ketoglutarate or other ingredients in this product. Bacterial infections.

Overview
Production
α-Ketoglutarate can be produced by:
• Oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate by isocitrate dehydrogenase
• Oxidative deamination of glutamate by glutamate dehydrogenase
• From galacturonic acid by the organism Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Functions
The enzyme alanine transaminase converts α-ketoglutarate and L-alanine to L-glutamate and pyruvate, respectively, as a reversible process.
α-Ketoglutarate is a key intermediate in the Krebs cycle, coming after isocitrate and before succinyl CoA. Anaplerotic reactions can replenish the cycle at this juncture by synthesizing α-ketoglutarate from transamination of glutamate, or through action of glutamate dehydrogenase on glutamate.
Supplementation
Studies have linked α-ketoglutarate with increased lifespan in nematode worms and increased healthspan/lifespan in mice.
A study showed that in glutamine deprived conditions, α-ketoglutarate promotes naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation into TH1 whilst inhibiting their differentiation into anti-inflammatory Treg cells.
α-Ketoglutarate has been shown to be a cofactor for demethylases that contain the Jumonji C (J…
Interactive pathway map
Click on genes, proteins and metabolites below to link to respective articles.
See also
• 2OG-dependent dioxygenases