Serum pyruvate and lactate in uremia

The question of an abnormality in serum pyruvate concentration in uremia has been examined once more using a specific enzymatic method. Uremic subjects without diabetes, liver or central nervous system disease and on no contributing drug therapy were found to have an elevated serum pyruvate. This was roughly correlated to the degree of nitrogen retention. This observation is compatible with previous studies indicating a possible metabolic block in the production of lactate and acetyl coenzyme A in uremia, although retention phenomena have not been excluded. Blood lactate was found to be no different than in a normal control group.