In vivo influences of hydrogen ions on lactate and pyruvate of blood

¹ Departments of Physiology and Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York

The effect of acidosis and alkalosis produced by various agents on the in vivo equilibrium of lactate and pyruvate concentrations in blood has been studied in cats. It was predicted from formulae for dissociation and for oxidation potential that acidosis should cause a rise in lactate-to-pyruvate (L/P) ratio and alkalosis should cause a fall in the ratio. Acetic acid and HCI both produced a rise in L/P ratio but d-malic acid caused a fall in ratio. NaHCO₃ and THAM both caused an increase in L/P ratio by effecting a greater rise in lactate than in pyruvate. It is concluded that some other influence of pH must be responsible for the changes noted.

Key Words: acidosis • alkalosis • lactate-to-pyruvate ratio • DPN • DPNH • oxidation potential • [H⁺] effects on circulation • [H⁺] effects on metabolism

Submitted on July 22, 1963