laktátu

Laktátu is the Czech term for lactate, the conjugate base of lactic acid that predominates in the body’s fluids at physiological pH. In humans, lactate exists mainly as the lactate anion and occurs in two enantiomeric forms: L-lactate and D-lactate, with L-lactate being the predominant form produced by human metabolism.

Lactate is generated primarily from pyruvate during anaerobic glycolysis, especially in active muscles and red blood cells. It is transported between tissues by monocarboxylate transporters and can be converted back to pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase for oxidation in mitochondria. The liver and kidneys can also convert lactate to glucose in the Cori cycle, supplying energy and maintaining blood glucose during periods of high demand or limited oxygen.

Clinically, blood lactate concentration serves as a metabolic marker. Resting levels are typically about 0.5 to 2.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Elevated lactate can indicate tissue hypoxia, shock, sepsis, or intense exercise. Lactate clearance dynamics are used to assess prognosis and response to treatment. Distinctions are made between L-lactate and D-lactate; D-lactate is produced by certain gut bacteria and, in excess, can contribute to D-lactic acidosis, particularly in individuals with altered gut anatomy or function.

Laboratory measurement of lactate is common in critical care and sports physiology, with methods including enzymatic assays and chromatographic techniques. The term laktátu may be used in literary or clinical texts to refer to lactate in its physiological or biochemical context, reflecting the Czech linguistic usage.