Why acidosis in DKA?

[hippocampus]

please could someone explain the exact mechanism of development of acidosis in dka?.... v basic, i know...

[DrSeddik]

Basically insulin activates acetyl CoA carboxylase which is the key enzyme in FA synthesis, the produrcs of which is Malonyl CoA which inhibits carnitine shuttle (carnitine acyl transferase) the key for FA oxidation. So in the absence of insulin fatty acid oxidation ensues producing acetyl CoA, some of which is used in the TCA cycle, some is used to synthesise ketoacids. I assume this is what you are asking about because the rest is intuitive.. ketoacids are acids so they decrease the blood pH.

I find lipid metabolism including ketoacid synthesis one of the most difficult parts of biochemistry, it is certainly not very basic.