Blood tests found elevated levels of lactate and pyruvate Yo

Blood tests found elevated levels of lactate and pyruvate. You may or may not have also discovered that enzyme tests found elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well. What is a possible explanation for the elevated levels of all three molecules? Note that for this patient, levels of free fatty acids and TAGS were high, blood pH = 7.0 (normal range: 7.35–7.45), thiamine was severly deficient, and etectable levels of acetoacetate were found; however, they do not indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (normal range: undetectable). This person was a male alcoholic, mid 60\'s.

A. Because this man’s PDH enzymes are functioning deficiently, these enzymes require more pyruvate to function efficiently. LDH catalyzes the conversion of lactate to pyruvate, thereby elevating pyruvate levels in an attempt to counteract PDH deficiency B. Because this man’s PDH enzymes are functioning deficiently, there is a metabolic buildup of pyruvate. More LDH is produced to deal with the excess pyruvate. LDH catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate, thereby elevating lactate levels. C. Because this man’s PDH enzymes are functioning deficiently, these enzymes require more oxygen. Their consumption of oxygen creates a less oxygen rich environment elsewhere. More LDH is produced to catalyze anaerobic lactic acid fermentation. LDH catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate, thereby elevating lactate levels

Solution

In this patient, elevated levels of lactate, pyruvate, and lactate dehydrogenase are found. The blood pH is 7.0 which less than the normal levels and the patient was found to be alcoholic. Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme which catalyzes the interconversion of lactate to pyruvic acid associated with interconversion of NADH and NAD+.

As the patient is an alcoholic, there is impairment of the Pyruvate dehydrogenase levels. The deficiency in this PDH levels leads to increases the pyruvate concentration. Increased levels of LDH are found to deal with the increased amount of pyruvate. As LDH will catalyze the conversion of lactate to pyruvate, more lactate is produced. The patient is suffering from lactic acidosis.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).