描述
Pyruvic acid, also known as 2-oxopropanoic acid or alpha-ketopropionic acid, belongs to alpha-keto acids and derivatives class of compounds. Those are organic compounds containing an aldehyde substituted with a keto group on the adjacent carbon. Thus, pyruvic acid is considered to be a fatty acid lipid molecule. Pyruvic acid is soluble (in water) and a moderately acidic compound (based on its pKa). Pyruvic acid can be synthesized from propionic acid. Pyruvic acid is also a parent compound for other transformation products, including but not limited to, 4-hydroxy-3-iodophenylpyruvate, 3-acylpyruvic acid, and methyl pyruvate. Pyruvic acid can be found in a number of food items such as kumquat, groundcherry, coconut, and prunus (cherry, plum), which makes pyruvic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Pyruvic acid can be found primarily in most biofluids, including sweat, blood, urine, and feces, as well as throughout most human tissues. Pyruvic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, pyruvic acid is involved in several metabolic pathways, some of which include glycogenosis, type IB, glycolysis, urea cycle, and gluconeogenesis. Pyruvic acid is also involved in several metabolic disorders, some of which include non ketotic hyperglycinemia, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency, and 4-hydroxybutyric aciduria/succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. Moreover, pyruvic acid is found to be associated with anoxia, schizophrenia, fumarase deficiency, and meningitis. Pyruvic acid is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Pyruvic acid is a drug which is used for nutritional supplementation, also for treating dietary shortage or imbalanc. Pyruvic acid can be made from glucose through glycolysis, converted back to carbohydrates (such as glucose) via gluconeogenesis, or to fatty acids through a reaction with acetyl-CoA. It can also be used to construct the amino acid alanine and can be converted into ethanol or lactic acid via fermentation . Those taking large doses of supplemental pyruvate—usually greater than 5 grams daily—have reported gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort and bloating, gas and diarrhea. One child receiving pyruvate intravenously for restrictive cardiomyopathy died (DrugBank). Pyruvate serves as a biological fuel by being converted to acetyl coenzyme A, which enters the tricarboxylic acid or Krebs cycle where it is metabolized to produce ATP aerobically. Energy can also be obtained anaerobically from pyruvate via its conversion to lactate. Pyruvate injections or perfusions increase contractile function of hearts when metabolizing glucose or fatty acids. This inotropic effect is striking in hearts stunned by ischemia/reperfusion. The inotropic effect of pyruvate requires intracoronary infusion. Among possible mechanisms for this effect are increased generation of ATP and an increase in ATP phosphorylation potential. Another is activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase, promoting its own oxidation by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase. Pyruvate dehydrogenase is inactivated in ischemia myocardium. Yet another is reduction of cytosolic inorganic phosphate concentration. Pyruvate, as an antioxidant, is known to scavenge such reactive oxygen species as hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides. Indirectly, supraphysiological levels of pyruvate may increase cellular reduced glutathione (T3DB).