Metabolism of D(-)lactic acid in rats given high intragastral doses.

In rats given D[u-14C]-labelled DL-lactate with 3.8-13.4 mmol D-lactate per kg 0.75 by stomach tube, the exhalation of CO2 produced from and the renal excretion of D-lactate and metabolites were measured. Exhalation of D-lactate-C accounted for 45-30% of the dosage given with a decreasing proportion at higher doses. The renal excretion of D-lactate averaged 0.9% and that of metabolites from D-lactate 2.4% of the doses given. The fraction of unrecovered D-lactate accounted for about 54-68% of the doses given and increased with doses. The time course of D-lactate oxidation indicated a maximum rate of about 1.5 mmol C per kg 0.75 in 1 hr which was reached at 1 hr after infusion at the earliest and extended up to 8 hr if high doses were given.