Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate and pyruvate concentrations were determined in 20 patients with diabetes mellitus but without disturbance of consciousness and five who recovered from hypoglycaemic coma.

CSF lactate was slightly but significantly higher in diabetes mellitus (1.78, SEM 0.04 m mol/l) than that in 15 control subjects (1.40, SEM 0.05 m mol/l). In those who recovered from hypoglycaemic coma, CSF lactate was markedly elevated to 2.45-4.43 m mol/l. CSF glucose concentrations, however, were substantially the same between treated hypoglycaemic and diabetes mellitus groups.

These findings indicate that CSF lactate levels increase with glycaemic levels in diabetes mellitus owing to enhanced glucose influx into glycolytic pathway of the brain, and also increases in treated hypoglycaemic coma probably due to mitochondrial dysfunction or damage.

About the Authors

Yao H, Sadoshima S, Nishimura Y, Fujii K, Oshima M, Ishitsuka T, Fujishima M. (1989) Cerebrospinal fluid lactate in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypoglycaemic coma. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1989 Mar;52(3):372-5. Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.