alkylglycerol

Alkylglycerol (AKG) is a research-stage small molecule lipid and dietary supplement developed by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute. It is a glycerolipid characterized by an ether bond linking the glycerol backbone to fatty acid derivatives, rather than the more common ester bond. The specific formulation investigated in clinical research is a 1:1:1 mixture of chimyl alcohol, batyl alcohol, and selachyl alcohol. AKG acts as a metabolic precursor in the plasmalogen biosynthesis pathway, effectively increasing endogenous levels of plasmalogens (alkenylphospholipids). These lipids are a sub-class of glycerophospholipids with purported atheroprotective and metabolic-protective properties. The compound has been evaluated in clinical trials for its ability to modulate lipid profiles and address risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity.

Other names

chimyl alcohol + batyl alcohol + selachyl alcohol1-O-alkylglycerol