The Role of Lactate in Ischemic Stroke: As an Energy Source and Signaling Molecule

Stroke is an acute cerebrovascular disease that causes brain tissue damage due to sudden blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain. According to the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease Study, the number of stroke patients worldwide is estimated to exceed 100 million, and more than 80% of patients suffer from stroke. Ischemic stroke is a type of stroke due to which two-thirds of the patients are disabled or even die, seriously affecting the patient's quality of life. Lactate is an indispensable substance in various physiological and pathological cells and plays a regulatory role in different aspects of energy metabolism and signal transduction. Studies have found that during cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, lactate concentration increases significantly, improving the energy supply to the ischemic area. Based on the scientific concept of lactate travelling through the brain, this article focuses on the important role of lactate as an energy source after ischemic stroke and analyzes the relationship between lactate as a signaling molecule and neuroprotection, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to outline the molecular mechanisms by which lactate exerts its different effects in ischemic stroke. Some references are provided in this study for the research on lactate therapy for ischemic stroke.