Lactic Acid as a Signaling Molecule and its Prospects in Prevention and Therapy

Abstract

Lactic acid and its anion lactate are known as metabolic waste products of bacterial fermentation and anaerobic muscle work. However, during the last 10 years of research, much evidence of their role in physiological regulations of human organism has been accumulated. This review describes their role in metabolic adaptation of muscle and fat tissues, their stimulating effect on regeneration and reparation, double-edge function in the immune response, signaling role in the central nervous system, and modulatory function in humoral regulations. The review also describes their potential applications in acute medicine and in the prevention of chronic diseases.