The tortuous path of lactate shuttle discovery: From cinders and boards to the lab and ICU
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and historical lecture summary containing no original empirical data
OpenAlex W3007025642 · doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.006
What was done
This narrative review and historical perspective summarizes the discovery of the Lactate Shuttle theory based on the 2019 American College of Sports Medicine Joseph B. Wolffe Lecture, describing lactate metabolism across exercise physiology, critical care, and oncology.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or quantitative outcomes. It outlines lactate's biological roles: forming continuously under aerobic conditions and functioning as a major energy source, gluconeogenic precursor, and signaling molecule relevant to clinical resuscitation, athletic performance, and cancer progression.
Why it matters
It outlines the shift in exercise physiology and metabolic medicine from viewing lactate as a dead-end anaerobic waste product to recognizing it as an active fuel and signaling metabolite.
Limits
The publication is an invited narrative review and historical lecture overview with no original empirical data, quantitative measurements, or systematic review methodology.
Cited by
- supports The lactate shuttle theory was originally proposed by Dr. George Brooks.