Question

The urine of a diabetes mellitus person contains a lot of ketone bodies, such as acetoacetate and acetone, due to the

• A. Increased oxidation of proteins
• B. Increased oxidation of fats
• C. Breakdown of aminoacids and carbohydrates
• D. Breakdown of nucleic acids

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Increased oxidation of fats

Diabetes mellitus, as it is clinically referred to, is actually a group of metabolic diseases with high blood sugar levels for a long time. When the blood sugar reaches a certain level, the kidneys tend to excrete the excess glucose, which appears in the urine. Further, the osmotic pressure of water follows glucose by osmosis leading to increased urination. Medical examination of a diabetic patient's urine sample during acute stages would show lots of ketone bodies as a result of ketoacidosis. This develops when there is an increase in the oxidation of fats. With a lack of insulin in the system, the body breaks down fat, which produces acids called as ketones. Excessive amounts of ketones cause the blood to become acidic.