Component of I.V. drips may reduce acute injury to organs, including the heart
Yale researchers have found that the lactate component of a common saline solution used in hospitals may have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce injury to major organs. The finding has clinical implications for the treatment of pancreatitis, kidney injury, strokes, and even heart attacks.
The researchers induced acute pancreatitis or hepatitis in various mouse models. They then injected a portion of the mice with sodium lactate, which is a component of fluids often given intravenously to patients in hospitals to maintain proper blood pH levels.
The sodium lactate reduced the activation of toll-like receptors, components of the innate immune system that recognize foreign pathogens and launch the immune system