Alpha-4 High-Density Lipoprotein (α-4 HDL) is a specific subtype of HDL, commonly referred to as "good cholesterol." HDL, or High-Density Lipoprotein, is a type of protein in your blood that carries fats. The "alpha-4" designation identifies a particular size and density category within the HDL group. This α-4 HDL plays a vital role in regulating your body's cholesterol levels. It acts like a specialized waste management team, moving through your bloodstream to collect excess cholesterol from your cells and tissues, then transporting it back to your liver for disposal. This process is crucial for maintaining cell health and preventing the buildup of harmful cholesterol in your arteries.

In an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis, the term A-a O2 refers to the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient. It measures the difference between the oxygen concentration in the alveoli of the lungs and the arterial system. Alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs in the lungs that perform gas exchange between inhaled air and the blood.

This gradient is important because it can help to identify how well oxygen is being transferred from the lungs to the blood. A larger-than-normal gradient suggests that there may be a problem with oxygen transfer, which could be due to various reasons such as lung diseases or issues with the pulmonary circulation.

Alcohol consumption can result in elevations of the plasma Alpha-ANB/Leucine ratio. But to see this biomarker as a conclusive marker for alcoholism is not proven. The increase in the plasma Alpha-ANB/Leucine ratio does not appear to be specific for alcoholism because it was found elevated in nonalcoholic liver disease.

Alpha-Amino-N-butyric acid (α-ANB), also known as alphaaminobutyric acid, is a nonessential amino acid derived from the catabolism of methionine, threonine, and serine.

α-ANB is both formed and metabolized by reactions which require vitamin B6 as a cofactor.

Alpha-Amino-N-butyric acid (α-ANB), also known as alphaaminobutyric acid, is a nonessential amino acid derived from the catabolism of methionine, threonine, and serine. α-ANB is both formed and metabolized by reactions which require vitamin B6 as a cofactor.

Alpha-Amino-N-butyric acid (α-ANB), also known as alphaaminobutyric acid, is a nonessential amino acid derived from the catabolism of methionine, threonine, and serine. α-ANB is both formed and metabolized by reactions which require vitamin B6 as a cofactor.

Alpha-Amino-n-butyric acid (A-ANB/α-Amino-N-butyric acid) is an intermediate occurring in the catabolism of two essential amino acids, methionine, and threonine.

Alpha-aminoadipic acid (a-Aminoadipic acid) is an intermediary metabolite of lysine (primarily) and tryptophan.

Alpha-aminoadipic acid (also known as 2-aminoadipic acid) is an intermediary biomarker of lysine and tryptophan metabolism. The further metabolism of alpha-aminoadipic acid to alpha-ketoadipic acid requires vitamin B6.

Plasma alpha-aminoadipic acid is strongly associated with the risk of developing diabetes as seen in an assessment of the Framingham Heart Study data. Circulating levels were found to be elevated for many years prior to the onset of diabetes.

Preclinical data shows it may also play a role in oxidation and atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Alpha-aminoadipic acid (also known as 2-aminoadipic acid) is an intermediary biomarker of lysine and tryptophan metabolism. The further metabolism of alpha-aminoadipic acid to alpha-ketoadipic acid requires vitamin B6.

Plasma alpha-aminoadipic acid is strongly associated with the risk of developing diabetes as seen in an assessment of the Framingham Heart Study data. Circulating levels were found to be elevated for many years prior to the onset of diabetes. Preclinical data shows it may also play a role in oxidation and atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Alpha-aminoadipic acid (also known as 2-aminoadipic acid) is an intermediary biomarker of lysine and tryptophan metabolism. The further metabolism of alpha-aminoadipic acid to alpha-ketoadipic acid requires vitamin B6.

Plasma alpha-aminoadipic acid is strongly associated with the risk of developing diabetes as seen in an assessment of the Framingham Heart Study data. Circulating levels were found to be elevated for many years prior to the onset of diabetes. Preclinical data shows it may also play a role in oxidation and atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Alcohol consumption can result in elevations of the plasma Alpha-ANB/Leucine ratio. But to see this biomarker as a conclusive marker for alcoholism is not proven. The increase in the plasma Alpha-ANB/Leucine ratio does not appear to be specific for alcoholism because it was found elevated in nonalcoholic liver disease.

Alpha-Hydroxybutyrate is a by-product of glutathione production. Levels of alpha-hydroxybutyrate in the urine may reflect levels of glutathione production.

a-hydroxybutyric acid (2-hydroxybuturic acid [2-HB]) is a marker that relates to oxidative stress.

a-hydroxybutyric acid is an organic acid produced from a-ketobutyrate via the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH).

a-hydroxybutyric acid (2-hydroxybuturic acid [2-HB]) is a marker that relates to oxidative stress.

a-hydroxybutyric acid is an organic acid produced from a-ketobutyrate via the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH).

α-hydroxybutyric acid (2-hydroxybuturic acid [2-HB]) is a marker that relates to oxidative stress. 2-HB is an organic acid produced from α-ketobutyrate via the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH). These enzymes are catalyzed by NADH. Oxidative stress creates an imbalance in NADH/NAD ratios, which leads directly to the production of 2-HB. Being that 2-HB’s precursor α-ketobutyrate is a byproduct in the glutathione (GSH) synthesis pathway, an increased demand for GSH may ultimately result in increased 2-HB. Increased oxidative stress associated with insulin resistance increases the rate of hepatic glutathione synthesis. Plasma 2-HB is highly associated with insulin resistance and may be an effective biomarker for prediabetes. A study on type 2 diabetics showed that GSH infusion restored the NADH/NAD balance and resulted in improvement of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function.

α-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid is a major urinary metabolite of the industrial solvent methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).

MTBE was a gasoline additive discontinued in the early 2000’s used to reduce automobile emissions. Due to significant ground water leakage from storage tanks, ongoing exposure to MTBE exists in ground water. There is also data available on levels of MTBE in ambient air.

Urinary α-hydroxyisobutryic acid is a marker of recent MTBE exposure. Although, MTBE was initially designated as “noncarcinogenic”, recent studies suggest some interesting clinical associations. Exposure to MTBE has been linked to type 2 diabetes as a result of disrupted zinc homeostasis and glucose tolerance. There are also clinical associations with autism, DNA oxidative damage, and methylation defects. Studies on cancer, reproductive abnormalities, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and neurotoxicity have been either negative or inconclusive thus far.

α-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid is a urinary metabolite formed in the body after exposure to methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a synthetic chemical once widely used as a gasoline additive to improve combustion and reduce vehicle emissions. MTBE use was discontinued in the early 2000s in many countries after concerns about groundwater contamination from leaking storage tanks. However, environmental exposure continues today through polluted groundwater, drinking water sources, and ambient air, especially near industrial or urban areas.

a-Hydroxyisobutyric Acid (from MTBE) is a toxic breakdown product.

Alpha-Keto-Beta-Methylvalerate is a B-Complex Vitamin Marker. Vitamins are compounds that your body needs to be healthy. Vitamins are “essential” for proper function, which means that they are not made inside your body and must be consumed in the diet.