Lactate

Lactate



Basic Information image



Definition


Lactate is the organic anion of lactic acid. It is produced in excess during anaerobic metabolism as the end product of glycolysis. l-lactate is the predominating form present in mammals.



Typical Normal Range (US Units; SI Units)


Depends on the instrument used and the method of sample collection. See your laboratory reference range.



Physiology


During normal metabolism and exercise, lactate is constantly produced via lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a variety of cells (eg, erythrocytes, gut, skeletal muscle). Increase in lactate leading to lactic acidosis does not occur until the rate of lactate production exceeds the rate of lactate removal. Lactate is primarily removed from the blood by the liver and kidneys, where it can be resynthesized into glucose.



Causes of Abnormally High Levels




• Tissue hypoxia considered the most common. It can be caused by decreased tissue perfusion and shock (eg, hypovolemia associated with colic, endotoxemic shock, cardiogenic shock, and acute blood loss). It can also be caused by sustained heavy exercise.


• Conditions of adequate tissue oxygenation: Main differentials include increased lactic acid production by enteric organisms during carbohydrate overload and diarrhea. Other suggested causes include impaired hepatic clearance, lactate production by leukocytes in inflammation, and rare hereditary defects (pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, mitochondrial myopathy).


• Lactic acidosis can cause titrational acidosis (ie, decreased bicarbonate or TCO2 with increased anion gap). Because lactate is not measured on routine biochemical profiles, it should be added when titrational acidosis is present.

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Lactate

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