Krebs cycle organic intermediate
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About Succinic Acid
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About Succinic Acid
Overview and History
Succinic acid is a four‑carbon dicarboxylic organic acid and a central intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA or Krebs) cycle. It forms when succinyl‑CoA is converted to succinate and is then oxidized to fumarate by succinate dehydrogenase, a step that links the TCA cycle to the electron transport chain.
Recognized since the early mapping of the citric acid cycle, succinate also functions as a signaling metabolite: it can influence hypoxia‑related pathways and engage cell surface receptors associated with immune and inflammatory responses. In clinical organic acid testing, urinary succinic acid is used as a window into mitochondrial flux, redox balance, and potential microbial metabolic input.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Elevated succinic acid in urine may reflect slowed conversion within the TCA cycle, mitochondrial stress or reduced activity of succinate dehydrogenase, cellular responses to low oxygen, or increased production from gut microbes. Elevated results often appear alongside other organic acids and oxidative markers, so they are best interpreted in the panel context.
Lower-than-expected succinic acid may indicate reduced TCA flux, limited substrate or cofactor availability, faster downstream conversion to fumarate, or non‑metabolic influences such as diet or renal handling. Low values are most meaningful when considered with complementary energy, nutrient, and redox markers on the full test.
Featured Test
Succinic acid is included in the Cellular Zoomer to assess mitochondrial TCA cycle flux and to capture microbial contributions to host metabolism. Paired with oxidative damage markers and antioxidant genetics, it helps map where cellular energy production is efficient or strained and supports personalized investigation of metabolic patterns.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
