D-lactate in human and ruminant metabolism.
D-lactate is normally present in the blood of mammals at nanomolar concentrations due to methylglyoxal metabolism; millimolar d-lactate concentrations can arise due to excess gastrointestinal microbial production. Grain overload in ruminants, short-bowel syndrome in humans, and diarrhea in calves can all result in profound D-lactic acidemia, with remarkably similar neurological manifestations. In the past, D-lactate was thought to be excreted mainly in the urine, and metabolized slowly by the enzyme d-alpha-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase. More recent studies reported that mammals have a relatively high capacity for D-lactate metabolism and identified a putative mammalian D-lactate dehydrogenase. A growing body of literature is also emerging describing subclinical elevation of D-lactate as an indicator of sepsis and trauma. This article describes advances in the understanding of D-lactate metabolism, D-lactic acidosis in ruminants and humans, and subclinical elevation of d-lactate.
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Julia B
JB
Ewaschuk
Jonathan M
JM
Naylor
Gordon A
GA
Zello
D000818:Animals; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D012418:Ruminants
D007773:Lactates; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde