Physiology, biochemistry and metabolism of lactic acid: review of the literature

Abstract

Lactic acid or lactate is a biochemical marker whose biological role has become more important as we understand its biochemical, physiological, metabolic and pathophysiological behavior. Initially it was seen as a harmful substrate and then, gradually understood as a vital way of cell survival and energy substrate in extreme and still normal conditions (central nervous system). Currently, it is an important hemodynamic resuscitation objective, that its descent or rise after hemodynamic resuscitation predicts high morbidity and mortality.

In this review we will try to facilitate the understanding of lactate metabolism and, therefore, of glucose (both substances share biochemical and metabolic parallelisms), emphasize the importance of the liver and skeletal muscle and achieve translational approaches on the subject.