In Support of Your Relentless Pursuit of Knowledge

As the newest omics branch, metabolomics is the most valuable approach to understanding the biochemical activities occurring within a sample (eg, plasma, serums, urine, saliva, tissues, and cells). Metabolomics can propel academic studies to new levels of insight in genetics, the microbiome, and multiple diseases. Metabolon provides the ability to make connections where other omics cannot.

Metabolon is committed to providing the highest quality metabolomics service to academic researchers, to aid in forging new paths to novel discoveries. We provide personalized partnership for study success at every stage of the process. Metabolon experts can guide you through experimental design, sample collection, report visualization, biological interpretation, and statistical analysis of metabolite profiles. Beginning with a study design consult, we set the stage for a successful study. Then, we offer guidance and tools for proper sample collection. Once samples have gone through our laboratory process, Discovery Panel reports may be visualized in the MyMetabolon portal.

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB, 3-hydroxybutyrate) is an endogenous ketone body that accumulates during periods of fasting, calorie restriction and prolonged exercise. It is created via a multi-step process involving the break-down of fatty acids into acetyl CoA, conversion to acetoacetate and reduction to β-hydroxybutyrate in the liver. BHB is the primary ketone found in the blood and is necessary for brain function especially when glucose is unavailable. It also provides neuroprotective benefits, such as relieving oxidative stress and inhibition of apoptotic pathway in cells.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance is a prediabetic state of hyperglycemia that is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of cardiovascular pathology (Barr, 2007). The condition occurs when blood glucose levels remain high for an extended period after oral ingestion of glucose but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance can be assessed with a single fasted blood draw by measuring a panel of selected metabolites comprised of two small organic acids (α-hydroxybutyric acid (AHB) and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid (4MOP)), 2 lipids (oleic acid and linoleoyl glycerophosphocholine (LGPC)), a ketone body (β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA)), an amino acid (serine), a vitamin (pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)), and glucose.