The effects of hyperlactatemia on cerebral glucose metabolism of normoglycemic 20-day-old
rats were studied in animals breathing air or 20% CO 2: 21% O 2: 59% N 2. Sodium lactate
or sodium bicarbonate were given intraperitoneally, together with a mixture of [3 H]
deoxyglucose and [2-14 C] glucose. Animals were sacrificed in a freeze-blowing apparatus
at intervals of 2–15 min after injection. Blood lactate levels in the lactate-injected rats were 4–
6 mM. Hyperlactatemia caused a gradual decline in the brain rate of glucose utilization in air …