title: Where does the lactate come from? A rare cause of reversible inhibition of mitochondrial respiration.
abstract: Biguanide poisoning is associated with lactic acidosis. The exact mechanism of biguanide-induced lactic acidosis is not well understood. In the previous issue of Critical Care, Protti and colleagues demonstrated that biguanide-induced lactic acidosis may be due in part to a reversible inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Thus, in the absence of an antidote, increased drug elimination through dialysis is logical.
authors.affiliation: Service de Reanimation Médicale, CHU Nancy-Brabois, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France. b.levy@chu-nancy.fr
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perny
mesh_terms: D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001645:Biguanides / Q000009:adverse effects; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides