Logan Steele
Lactic acid is produced by muscle cells and red blood cells. The production of lactic acid is particularly pronounced when transitioning from rest to heavy exercise, when there is a rapid increase in energy demand. Anaerobic muscle activity, which occurs when there is insufficient oxygen, can cause an increase in lactic acid, which in turn can lead to muscle soreness after intense exercise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main producer of lactic acid in the body | Skeletal muscle |
| Lactic acid as a respiratory fuel | Used by oxidative fibres in skeletal muscle |
| Lactic acid production | Particularly pronounced in the transition from rest to heavy exercise |
| Lactic acid and muscle fatigue | Lactic acid was once thought to be responsible for muscle fatigue |
| Lactic acid and muscle soreness | Anaerobic muscle activity can result in muscle soreness after intense exercise |
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What You'll Learn
Anaerobic muscle activity
Lactic acid is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen. This was demonstrated by German physician Otto Meyerhof, who used frog legs in an airtight jar to show that using electric pulses to make the legs contract produced lactic acid in the muscles.
The tissues that produce the most lactic acid are the muscle cells and red blood cells. An elevated lactate level and a pH equal to or less than 7.35 cause lactic acidosis. There are two types of lactic acidosis: type-A and type-B. Type-A lactic acidosis is typically caused by hypoperfusion and long-term hypoxia of the tissues, while type-B lactic acidosis is related to the inability to process the available amount of pyruvate due to impaired tissue function, unrelated to hypoxia.
Several factors can increase lactic acid levels, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which affects lactate levels due to hypoperfusion and metabolic stress. Additionally, certain medications and toxins, such as alcohol, biguanides (e.g., metformin), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, salicylates, and isoniazid, can also increase lactic acid levels. Thiamine deficiency is another factor, as it shifts metabolism towards increased anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism.
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Lactic acid as a respiratory fuel
Lactic acid is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic muscle activity is a common cause of lactic acid increase, which results in muscle soreness after intense exercise. The skeletal muscles produce more lactate than the liver can metabolise.
The tissues that produce most lactic acid are the muscle cells and red blood cells. Lactic acid can be taken up by skeletal muscle and the heart and used as a respiratory fuel. The balance of the two depends on the type of muscle fibre and the energy demand. The net production of lactic acid by muscle is particularly pronounced in the transition from rest to heavy exercise when there is a rapid increase in energy demand.
The stereoselective transport of L-lactic acid across the plasma membrane of muscle fibres involves a proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) similar to that described in erythrocytes and other cells. This transporter plays an important role in the pH regulation of skeletal muscle. A family of eight MCTs has now been cloned and sequenced, and the tissue distribution of each isoform varies. Skeletal muscle contains both MCT1 (the only isoform found in erythrocytes but also present in most other cells) and MCT4.
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Lactic acidosis
Elevated lactate levels can be the result of increased lactic acid production, decreased lactic acid clearance, or a combination of both. The tissues that produce the most lactic acid are muscle cells and red blood cells. Anaerobic muscle activity, which occurs when the body's demand for energy suddenly increases, is a common cause of elevated lactic acid levels. During intense exercise, skeletal muscles produce more lactate than the liver can metabolise.
Lactic acid is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen. This was demonstrated by German physician Otto Meyerhof, who used frog legs in an airtight jar and electric pulses to make the legs contract, producing lactic acid in the muscles. However, modern research has shown that these findings do not apply to live mammals, including humans.
While skeletal muscle is the major producer of lactic acid in the body, it can also use lactic acid as a respiratory fuel. The balance between the production and utilisation of lactic acid depends on the type of muscle fibre and the energy demand. The net production of lactic acid by muscle is particularly pronounced when transitioning from rest to heavy exercise, as the acceleration of glycolysis at the onset of muscle activity is faster compared to that of the oxidative pathway.
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Lactic acid and muscle fatigue
Lactic acid is produced by muscle cells and red blood cells. The most common cause of an increase in lactic acid is anaerobic muscle activity, which results in muscle soreness after intense exercise. During exercise, the skeletal muscles produce more lactate than the liver can metabolize.
Lactic acid is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen. This was discovered by German physician Otto Meyerhof, who used frog legs in an airtight jar to show that repeated stimulation of the muscles caused lactic acid to build up, leading to the theory that lactic acid was responsible for muscle fatigue. However, modern research has shown that this does not apply to live mammals, including humans.
The net production of lactic acid by muscle is particularly pronounced in the transition from rest to heavy exercise when there is a rapid increase in energy demand. This is not usually due to insufficient oxygenation but to the acceleration of glycolysis at the onset of muscle activity being faster than that of the oxidative pathway.
While skeletal muscle is the major producer of lactic acid in the body, its oxidative fibres also use lactic acid as a respiratory fuel. The stereoselective transport of L-lactic acid across the plasma membrane of muscle fibres involves a proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) similar to that found in erythrocytes and other cells. This transporter plays an important role in the pH regulation of skeletal muscle.
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Lactic acid and muscle soreness
Lactic acid is produced by muscle cells and red blood cells. It is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen. During exercise, skeletal muscles produce more lactate than the liver can metabolise. This is particularly pronounced in the transition from rest to heavy exercise when there is a rapid increase in energy demand. This anaerobic muscle activity results in muscle soreness after intense exercise.
Lactic acid can also be taken up by skeletal muscle and the heart and used as a respiratory fuel. The balance of the two depends on the type of muscle fibre and the energy demand. The stereoselective transport of L-lactic acid across the plasma membrane of muscle fibres involves a proton-linked monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) similar to that described in erythrocytes and other cells. This transporter plays an important role in the pH regulation of skeletal muscle.
Elevated lactate levels and a pH equal to or less than 7.35 cause lactic acidosis. There are two types of lactic acidosis: type-A and type-B. Type-A lactic acidosis is typically caused by hypoperfusion and long-term hypoxia of the tissues. Type-B lactic acidosis is related to the inability to process the available amount of pyruvate due to impaired tissue function, unrelated to hypoxia.
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Frequently asked questions
Skeletal muscle is the main producer of lactic acid in the body, but it can also be produced by red blood cells.
Lactic acid is produced by anaerobic muscle activity, which is when the skeletal muscles produce more lactate than the liver can metabolize.
A build-up of lactic acid can cause muscle soreness after intense exercise. It can also lead to lactic acidosis, which is when the pH of the body drops to 7.35 or lower.
There are two types of lactic acidosis: type-A and type-B. Type-A is caused by hypoperfusion and long-term hypoxia of the tissues, while type-B is related to the inability to process pyruvate due to impaired tissue function.
Lactic acid is formed from muscle glycogen in the absence of oxygen.
