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Can lactate be used as a fuel by wounded tissue?
Surgery
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Wounded tissues can metabolize lactate as an oxidative fuel, potentially replacing glucose. This study shows injured muscle tissue utilizes lactate, even with net lactate production, offering new insights into wound healing metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology
- Metabolic research
- Wound healing
Background:
- The role of lactate in wound metabolism is not well understood.
- Wounded tissues typically exhibit net lactate production.
- Investigating lactate's metabolic fate in injured tissue is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if wounded (Wx) muscle tissue can metabolize lactate.
- To assess lactate's potential as an oxidative fuel source in injured muscle.
- To compare lactate metabolism in wounded versus non-wounded muscle.
Main Methods:
- Injured extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from Fischer rats (lambda-carrageenan or thermal injury) were incubated with varying lactate concentrations.
- Lactate uptake and oxidation rates were measured.
- Glucose oxidation and uptake were assessed.
Main Results:
- Lactate uptake and oxidation occurred in a dose-dependent manner in both wounded (Wx) and non-wounded EDL.
- At higher lactate concentrations (6 mmol/L), net lactate production ceased in both Wx and non-Wx EDL.
- Increased lactate oxidation correlated with reduced glucose oxidation and, in Wx EDL, reduced glucose uptake.
Conclusions:
- Wounded muscle tissue demonstrates the capacity to metabolize lactate.
- Lactate can serve as an oxidative fuel source in injured muscle, potentially substituting for glucose.
- These findings contribute to understanding the metabolic adaptations during wound healing.