Pyruvate in reduced osmolarity oral rehydration salt corrected lactic acidosis in sever scald rats

A novel pyruvate-based oral rehydration salt (Pyr-ORS) was demonstrated of superiority over bicarbonate- or citrate-based one to preserve organ function and correct lactic acidosis in rehydration of lethal shock in animals. This study further compared these effects between low-osmolar Pyr-ORS and equimolar citrate-based counterpart.

Eighty rats, using a fatal burn shock model, were randomized into four groups (two subgroups per group: n = 10): the sham group (group SR), Pyr-ORS group (group PR), WHO-ORS III group (group CR), and no rehydration group. ORS was delivered by manual gavage during 24 h following burns. Oral administration consisted of half of counted volume in the initial 8 h plus the rest in the later 16 h. Systemic hemodynamics, visceral organ surface blood flow, organ function, and metabolic acidosis were determined at 8 h and 24 h after burn. Another set of rats with identical surgical procedures without tests was observed for survival.

Survival was markedly improved in the groups PR and CR; the former showed a higher survival rate than the latter at 24 h (40% versus 20%, P < 0.05). Systemic hemodynamics, visceral blood flow, and function of heart, liver, and kidney were greatly restored in group PR, compared with group CR (all P < 0.05). Hypoxic lactic acidosis was efficiently reversed in group PR, instead of group CR, (pH 7.36 versus 7.11, base excess 2.1 versus -9.1 mmol/L, lactate 4.28 versus 8.18 mmol/L; all P < 0.05) at 24 h after injury.

Pyruvate was advantageous over citrate in low-osmolar ORS for protection of organs and survival; pyruvate, but not citrate, in the ORS corrected hypoxic lactic acidosis in rats subjected to lethal burn shock in 24 h.