THE EFFECT OF LACTIC-ACID ON MONONUCLEAR CELL SECRETION OF PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN RESPONSE TO GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCI

This study found that lactate alone had a stimulatory effect (207.1 +/ - 16.3%; P =.001) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production by h uman mononuclear cells with the most profound secretion being at patho logic concentrations of 4-8 mM lactate. Furthermore, exposure of these mononuclear cells to group B streptococci (GBS, 10(5) cfu) resulted i n TNF-alpha production of up to 621.1 +/- 42% of control; the combinat ion of lactic acid and GBS increased TNF-alpha production up to 1019.3 +/- 16.1% (P = .001). The combination of GBS and lactate also enhance d the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6. Lactate in pathol ogic concentrations, therefore, likely enhances the secretion of these inflammatory mediators and contributes to septic shock and meningitis caused by GBS.