Effect of Intravenous Administration of Lactate on Blood Pyruvate Level in Man

Abstract

Intravenous administration of sodium d-lactate in 8 normal subjects caused consistent though variable rises in blood pyruvate level, and a rise in the blood alpha-ketoglutarate level in 6 of the 8. These results strongly suggest the entry of circulating lactate into the general metabolic pool via pyruvate. Intravenous glucose caused no rise in blood pyruvate level in 30 minutes.