Ketoglutaric acid is used for either of two crystalline keto derivatives C₅H₆O₅ of glutaric acid. As alpha-Ketoglutaric acid (2-Oxo-1,5-pentanedioic acid) a Krebs cycle intermediate. Ketone group A ketone is either the functional group characterized by a carbonyl group linked to two other carbon atoms or a chemical compound that contains this functional group. ... Glutaric acid is a simple five-carbon linear dicarboxylic acid. ... The citric acid cycle (also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the TCA cycle, or the Krebs cycle) is a series of chemical reactions of central importance in all living cells that utilize oxygen as part of cellular respiration. ...

Ketoglutaric acid is also known as 2-Ketoglutaric acid, 2-Oxopentanedioic acid, 2-Oxoglutamate, 2-Oxoglutaric acid & Oxoglutaric acid. It has a pH of 1.5.

Ketoglutaric acid occurs naturally within cells. One of its functions is to combine with ammonia to form glutamic acid & then glutamine. Another function is to combine with nitrogen released in the cell, therefore preventing nitrogen overload. Glutamic acid (Glu) or glutamate (the anionic form) is one of the 20 standard amino acids used by all organisms in their proteins. ... Glutamine is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the standard genetic code. ...

It is reported that high ammonia and/or high nitrogen levels may occur with high protein intake, excessive aluminum exposure, autism, Reye's syndrome, cirrhosis (liver disease) & urea cycle disorder. A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ... Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... Reyes syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver. ... Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue, resulting in the loss of liver function. ... What is a Urea Cycle Disorder? A urea cycle disorder is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of one of the enzymes in the urea cycle which is responsible for removing ammonia from the blood stream. ...

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid is sold in dietary supplements and to body builders as AKG or a-KG. Some believe it increases stamina.