Pyruvate
OTHER NAME(S): 2-Oxypropanoic Acid, Acetylformic Acid, Acide Acétylformique, Acide Alpha-Kéto, Acide Oxo-2 Propanoïque, Acide Pyruvique, Alpha-Keto Acid, Alpha-Ketopropionic Acid, Calcium Pyruvate, Calcium Pyruvate Monohydrate, Creatine Pyruvate, Magnesium Pyruvate, Monohydrate de Pyruvate de Calcium, Potassium Pyruvate, Proacemic Acid, Pyruvate de Calcium, Pyruvate de Créatine, Pyruvate de Magnésium, Pyruvate de Sodium, Pyruvic Acid, Sodium Pyruvate, 2-Oxopropanoate (pyruvate), pyruvate, 2-oxopropanoic acid (pyruvic acid), pyruvic acid, Piruvato
Overview
Pyruvate is a three-carbon acid that is naturally formed during glycolysis, the process in which the body breaks down sugar (glucose).
Pyruvate might increase the breakdown of fat, which could improve weight loss. Pyruvic acid seems to cause the outer layer of skin cells to slough off, which might benefit some skin conditions.
People use pyruvate for obesity, acne, high cholesterol, cataracts, athletic performance, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Uses
Possibly Effective for
- Acne. Applying a pyruvic acid skin peel might improve acne in some people.
- Obesity. Taking pyruvate by mouth while dieting and exercising might improve weight loss by a small amount in people who are overweight and obese.
There is interest in using pyruvate for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Pyruvate is possibly safe when used appropriately for up to six weeks. Side effects such as stomach upset, gas, bloating, and diarrhea might occur when used in doses above 30 grams daily.
When applied to the skin: Facial peels containing up to 50% pyruvic acid are possibly safe when applied by a healthcare professional. Severe skin burning might occur. It should only be applied to small patches of skin at a time.
When inhaled: Pyruvate is possibly safe when used in a nebulizer for up to six weeks.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Pyruvate is possibly safe when used appropriately for up to six weeks. Side effects such as stomach upset, gas, bloating, and diarrhea might occur when used in doses above 30 grams daily.
When applied to the skin: Facial peels containing up to 50% pyruvic acid are possibly safe when applied by a healthcare professional. Severe skin burning might occur. It should only be applied to small patches of skin at a time.
When inhaled: Pyruvate is possibly safe when used in a nebulizer for up to six weeks.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if pyruvate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Taking high amounts of pyruvate, such as 30 grams daily or more, might cause diarrhea, loose stools, and bloating.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Pyruvate overview.
Dosing
Pyruvate has most often been used by adults in doses of 6-40 grams by mouth daily for up to 6 weeks. It's also been used in topical products such as facial skin peels and creams. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
References
- Stanko RT, Mullick P, Clarke MR, et al. Pyruvate inhibits growth of mammary adenocarcinoma 13762 in rats. Cancer Res 1994;54:1004-7.
- Stanko RT, Robertson RJ, Galbreath RW, et al. Enhanced leg exercise endurance with a high-carbohydrate diet and dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Physiol 1990;69:1651-6.
- Stanko RT, Robertson RJ, Spina RJ, et al. Enhancement of arm exercise endurance capacity with dihydroxyacetone and pyruvate. J Appl Physiol 1990;68:119-24.
- Stanko RT, Tietze DL, Arch JE. Body composition, energy utilization, and nitrogen metabolism with a 4.25-MJ/d low-energy diet supplemented with pyruvate. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:630-5.
- Matthys D, Van Coster R, Verhaaren H. Fatal outcome of pyruvate loading test in child with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Lancet 1991;338:1020-1.
- Stanko RT, Reynolds HR, Hoyson R, et al. Pyruvate supplementation of a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet: effects on plasma lipid concentrations and body composition in hyperlipidemic patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:423-7.
- Ivy JL, Cortez MY, Chandler RM, et al. Effects of pyruvate on the metabolism and insulin resistance of obese Zucker rats. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:331-7.
- DeBoer LW, Bekx PA, Han L, Steinke L. Pyruvate enhances recovery of rat hearts after ischemia and reperfusion by preventing free radical generation. Am J Physiol 1993;265:H1571-6.
- Gheresitich I, Brazzini B, Perris K, et al. Pyruvic acid peels for the treatment of photoaging. Dermatol Surg 2004;30:32-6.
- Kalman D, Colker CM, Wilets I, et al. The effects of pyruvate supplementation on body composition in overweight individuals. Nutrition 1999;15:337-40.
- Koh-Banerjee PK, Ferreira MP, Greenwood M, et al. Effects of calcium pyruvate supplementation during training on body composition, exercise capacity, and metabolic responses to exercise. Nutrition 2005;21:312-9. .
- Stone MH, Sanborn K, Smith LL, et al. Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players. Int J Sport Nutr 1999;9:146-65. .
- Van Schuylenbergh R, Van Leemputte M, Hespel P. Effects of oral creatine-pyruvate supplementation in cycling performance. Int J Sports Med 2003;24:144-50.
- Vierck JL, Icenoggle DL, Bucci L, Dodson MV. The effects of ergogenic compounds on myogenic satellite cells. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003;35:769-76.
- Ferrando, J. [Clinical trial of a topical preparation containing urea, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil and sodium pyruvate, in several hyperkeratotic skin conditions]. Med Cutan.Ibero.Lat.Am 1986;14(2):133-137.
- Hermann, H. P., Pieske, B., Schwarzmuller, E., Keul, J., Just, H., and Hasenfuss, G. Haemodynamic effects of intracoronary pyruvate in patients with congestive heart failure: an open study. Lancet 4-17-1999;353(9161):1321-1323.
- Devamanoharan, P. S., Henein, M., Ali, A. H., and Varma, S. D. Attenuation of sugar cataract by ethyl pyruvate. Mol.Cell Biochem. 1999;200(1-2):103-109.
- Morrison, M. A., Spriet, L. L., and Dyck, D. J. Pyruvate ingestion for 7 days does not improve aerobic performance in well-trained individuals. J Appl Physiol 2000;89(2):549-556.
- Petkova, I., Mateva, L., Beniozef, D., Petrov, K., and Thorn, W. Sodium pyruvate infusions in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Preliminary report. Acta Physiol Pharmacol.Bulg. 2000;25(3-4):103-108.
- Mallet, R. T., Squires, J. E., Bhatia, S., and Sun, J. Pyruvate restores contractile function and antioxidant defenses of hydrogen peroxide-challenged myocardium. J Mol.Cell Cardiol. 2002;34(9):1173-1184.
- Stanko, R. T., Reynolds, H. R., Lonchar, K. D., and Arch, J. E. Plasma lipid concentrations in hyperlipidemic patients consuming a high-fat diet supplemented with pyruvate for 6 wk. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56(5):950-954.
- Sappington, P. L., Fink, M. E., Yang, R., Delude, R. L., and Fink, M. P. Ethyl pyruvate provides durable protection against inflammation-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. Shock 2003;20(6):521-528.
- Olivencia-Yurvati, A. H., Blair, J. L., Baig, M., and Mallet, R. T. Pyruvate-enhanced cardioprotection during surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. J Cardiothorac.Vasc.Anesth. 2003;17(6):715-720.
- Hermann, H. P., Arp, J., Pieske, B., Kogler, H., Baron, S., Janssen, P. M., and Hasenfuss, G. Improved systolic and diastolic myocardial function with intracoronary pyruvate in patients with congestive heart failure. Eur.J Heart Fail. 3-1-2004;6(2):213-218.
- Fink, M. P. Ethyl pyruvate: a novel treatment for sepsis and shock. Minerva Anestesiol. 2004;70(5):365-371.
- Gendviliene, V., Zablockaite, D., Babusyte, A., Jurevicius, J., and Benetis, R. [Effect of pyruvate on the dependence of electromechanical activity on stimulation frequency in human myocardium]. Medicina (Kaunas.) 2004;40(11):1097-1104.
- Knott, E. M., Ryou, M. G., Sun, J., Heymann, A., Sharma, A. B., Lei, Y., Baig, M., Mallet, R. T., and Olivencia-Yurvati, A. H. Pyruvate-fortified cardioplegia suppresses oxidative stress and enhances phosphorylation potential of arrested myocardium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ.Physiol 2005;289(3):H1123-H1130.
- Mallet, R. T., Sun, J., Knott, E. M., Sharma, A. B., and Olivencia-Yurvati, A. H. Metabolic cardioprotection by pyruvate: recent progress. Exp.Biol Med (Maywood.) 2005;230(7):435-443.
- Sharma, A. B., Knott, E. M., Bi, J., Martinez, R. R., Sun, J., and Mallet, R. T. Pyruvate improves cardiac electromechanical and metabolic recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation. Resuscitation 2005;66(1):71-81.
- Knott, E. M., Sun, J., Lei, Y., Ryou, M. G., Olivencia-Yurvati, A. H., and Mallet, R. T. Pyruvate mitigates oxidative stress during reperfusion of cardioplegia-arrested myocardium. Ann.Thorac.Surg. 2006;81(3):928-934.
- Sharma, A. B., Sun, J., Howard, L. L., Williams, A. G., Jr., and Mallet, R. T. Oxidative stress reversibly inactivates myocardial enzymes during cardiac arrest. Am J Physiol Heart Circ.Physiol 2007;292(1):H198-H206.
- Fink, M. P. Ethyl pyruvate: a novel treatment for sepsis. Novartis.Found.Symp. 2007;280:147-156.
- Fink, M. P. Ethyl pyruvate: a novel treatment for sepsis. Curr.Drug Targets. 2007;8(4):515-518.
- Fink, M. P. Ethyl pyruvate. Curr.Opin.Anaesthesiol. 2008;21(2):160-167.
- Votto, J. J., Bowen, J. B., Barton, R. W., and Thrall, R. S. Inhaled sodium pyruvate improved FEV1 and decreased expired breath levels of nitric oxide in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Aerosol Med Pulm.Drug Deliv. 2008;21(4):329-334.
- Chandra, P., Hegde, K. R., and Varma, S. D. Possibility of topical antioxidant treatment of cataracts: corneal penetration of pyruvate in humans. Ophthalmologica 2009;223(2):136-138.
- Kalariya, N. M., Reddy, A. B., Ansari, N. H., Vankuijk, F. J., and Ramana, K. V. Preventive Effects of Ethyl Pyruvate on Endotoxin-induced Uveitis in Rats. Invest Ophthalmol.Vis.Sci. 5-6-2011;
- Levy, S. B. and Goldsmith, L. A. Sodium pyruvate treatment for hyperkeratotic disorders. South.Med.J. 1979;72(3):307-310.
- Onakpoya I, Hunt K, Wider B, Ernst E. Pyruvate supplementation for weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(1):17-23.
- Ostojic SM, Ahmetovic Z. The effect of 4 weeks treatment with a 2-gram daily dose of pyruvate on body composition in healthy trained men. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2009;79(3):173-9.
- De Moraes CG, John SWM, Williams PA, Blumberg DM, Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Nicotinamide and Pyruvate for Neuroenhancement in Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol 2022;140(1):11-18.
- Chilicka K, Rogowska AM, Szygula R, Dziendziora-Urbinska I, Taradaj J. A comparison of the effectiveness of azelaic and pyruvic acid peels in the treatment of female adult acne: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 2020;10(1):12612.
- Yang YP, Qiu JQ, Wang MY, et al. Effects of sodium pyruvate supplementation on repeated sprint exercise performance and recovery in male college soccer players: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Palliat Med 2022;11(2):598-610.
- Solanki B, Relhan V, Sahoo B, Sarkar R, Choudhary P. Microneedling in Combination With 15% Trichloroacetic Acid Peel Versus 25% Pyruvic Acid Peel in the Treatment of Acne Scars. Dermatol Surg 2023;49(2):155-160.