Kynurenine is the primary breakdown product of tryptophan.

- Kynurenine blood levels have been found higher in type 2 diabetes, obesity, CVD, ADHD in children, HOMA-IR.

- Higher kynurenine increases Treg cell differentiation via the AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) pathway.

- Blood levels were lower in acute ischemic stroke patients, older age, adults with ADHD.

- Upregulation of other tryptophan breakdown enzymes KMO (Kynurenine monooxygenase) and KYNU (Kynureninase) may decrease kynurenine.

Kynurenine is the primary breakdown product of tryptophan.

- Kynurenine blood levels have been found higher in type 2 diabetes, obesity, CVD, ADHD in children, HOMA-IR.

- Higher kynurenine increases Treg cell differentiation via the AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) pathway.

- Blood levels were lower in acute ischemic stroke patients, older age, adults with ADHD.

- Upregulation of other tryptophan breakdown enzymes KMO (Kynurenine monooxygenase) and KYNU (Kynureninase) may decrease kynurenine.

L-Lactate is a product of muscle use, so it is constantly produced in normal daily activity.

The LA (Linoleic Acid) test within red blood cells (RBC) offers an in-depth analysis of linoleic acid levels, a crucial omega-6 fatty acid. As a primary component of cell membranes, LA plays a significant role in maintaining skin health, supporting the immune system, and promoting overall cellular function. The RBC measurement of LA provides a more accurate reflection of the body's cellular health and fatty acid balance over time compared to serum tests. This is particularly important for assessing inflammatory conditions, skin disorders, and cardiovascular health.

LA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio.

LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA).

The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.

LA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio.

LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA).

The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.

The Lachnospiraceae family is a diverse group of butyric acid producers, which have been associated with beneficial microbial and epithelial cell growth. Consumption of a Mediterranean diet decreased levels of species belonging to Lachnospiraceae.

Lachnospiraceae are known to increase with intake of cruciferous vegetables and wheat bran, and decrease with a resistant starch diet.

L-Lactate is a product of muscle use, so it is constantly produced in normal daily activity.

Lactate serves as a valuable metabolic marker that provides insights into various physiological processes within the body. Elevated levels of lactate can signify multiple underlying factors, including impaired mitochondrial function, nutrient deficiencies, or metabolic disorders. Monitoring lactate levels on the panel aids healthcare practitioners in assessing energy metabolism, identifying potential issues with oxygen delivery and utilization, and recognizing conditions like lactic acidosis. 

The Lactate - Arterial marker on Labcorp's Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Panel measures the concentration of lactate in arterial blood. Lactate is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, which occurs when cells rely on processes that do not require oxygen to produce energy, often due to insufficient oxygen supply or impaired oxygen utilization. Elevated lactate levels are commonly associated with tissue hypoxia or poor perfusion, where tissues do not receive enough oxygen to meet their metabolic demands. High lactate levels can indicate a variety of conditions, including shock, sepsis, severe hypoxia, or organ failure. In some cases, elevated lactate can also result from metabolic disorders or certain medications. Monitoring lactate levels is crucial in critically ill patients to assess the severity of acidosis, identify underlying conditions, and guide appropriate treatment strategies.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that helps the process of turning sugar into energy for your cells to use. LDH is present in many kinds of organs and tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscles, brain, and blood cells.

Lactate dehydrogenase may be elevated due to liver disease, hypothyroidism, skeletal muscle damage, anemia (hemolytic, pernicious), fractures. May be decreased due to reactive hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, ketosis.

Lactate is an intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism, produced from pyruvate during lactic acid fermentation. Lactate also plays important roles in immunomodulation and inflammation modulation. These species use lactate as a substrate for SCFA production. However, if there is an overabundance of lactate producers paired with low abundance of lactate utilizers (SCFA producers) this will cause a surge of lactate in the gut which can be toxic and harmful to host tissues.

The lactate:pyruvate (L:P) ratio is considered a helpful (not diagnostic) tool in the evaluation of patients with possible disorders of mitochondrial metabolism, especially in patients with neurologic dysfunction and either elevated or normal blood lactate levels. Pyruvic acid levels alone have little clinical utility.

The blood lactate to pyruvate ratio is used to distinguish between pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency and other causes of congenital lactic acidosis. In conjunction with an elevated lactate, an L:P ratio greater than 30 suggests inherited disorders of the respiratory chain complex or tricarboxylic acid cycle disorders. In conjunction with an elevated lactate, an L:P ratio less than 25 suggests a defect in pyruvate metabolism. An artificially high L:P ratio can be observed in acutely ill individuals. Abnormal concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, and the L:P ratio are not diagnostic for any single disorder and must be interpreted in the context of the individual's clinical presentation and other laboratory studies.

Lactic acid (Lactate) and pyruvic acid are byproducts of glycolysis. Carbohydrates, which contain glucose, are broken down through glycolysis to form pyruvate and two ATP molecules. Pyruvate can also be generated through the catabolism of various amino acids, including alanine, serine, cysteine, glycine, tryptophan and threonine. Magnesium is an important cofactor for a number of glycolytic enzymes necessary to produce pyruvate. Optimally, pyruvic acid is oxidized to form Acetyl-Co-A to be used aerobically via the Krebs Cycle to produce energy. In an anaerobic state, lactic acid is formed instead.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.