Acid-base equilibrium via conversion of lactate to bicarbonate

The physiological process where lactate, produced during anaerobic metabolism, is metabolized—primarily in the liver—into bicarbonate. This conversion plays a significant role in maintaining acid-base homeostasis, especially under conditions such as metabolic acidosis. The process requires adequate tissue perfusion and functional hepatic oxidative capacity to effectively convert lactate into bicarbonate.

Other names

Lactate metabolism to bicarbonateLactate conversion to HCO3-Bicarbonate generation from lactateLactate as a bicarbonate source

Lactate is metabolized primarily in the liver to pyruvate, which enters the TCA cycle, generating CO2. CO2 is then converted to bicarbonate via carbonic anhydrase, thus increasing the bicarbonate buffer capacity and raising blood pH.