Pyruvate is an importantchemical compound inbiochemistry. It is the output of the metabolism ofglucose known asglycolysis.[10] One molecule ofglucose breaks down into two molecules of pyruvate,[10] which are then used to provide further energy, in one of two ways. Pyruvate is converted intoacetyl-coenzyme A, which is the main input for a series of reactions known as theKrebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle). Pyruvate is also converted tooxaloacetate by ananaplerotic reaction, which replenishes Krebs cycle intermediates; also, the oxaloacetate is used forgluconeogenesis.[citation needed]
These reactions are named afterHans Adolf Krebs, the biochemist awarded the 1953Nobel Prize for physiology, jointly withFritz Lipmann, for research into metabolic processes. The cycle is also known as thecitric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle, because citric acid is one of the intermediate compounds formed during the reactions.[citation needed]
Pyruvate is sold as aweight-loss supplement, though credible science has yet to back this claim. Asystematic review of sixtrials found a statistically significant difference in body weight with pyruvate compared toplacebo. However, all of the trials had methodological weaknesses and the magnitude of the effect was small. The review also identifiedadverse events associated with pyruvate such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and increase inlow-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The authors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the use of pyruvate for weight loss.[13]
There is alsoin vitro as well asin vivo evidence in hearts that pyruvate improves metabolism byNADH production stimulation and increases cardiac function.[14][15]
^Hermann, H. P.; Pieske, B.; Schwarzmüller, E.; Keul, J.; Just, H.; Hasenfuss, G. (1999-04-17). "Haemodynamic effects of intracoronary pyruvate in patients with congestive heart failure: an open study".Lancet.353 (9161):1321–1323.doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(98)06423-x.ISSN0140-6736.PMID10218531.S2CID25126646.
