The reduction of oxo-acids by human tissue extracts.

The reduction of pyruvate, 2-oxobutyrate, hydroxy-pyruvate and glyoxylate under optimal conditions at 37 degrees by extracts of human heart, kidney, pancreas, skeletal muscle and liver has been examined. The ratios of reduction rates, particularly of glyoxylate and 2-oxobutyrate reveal a capacity to differentiate the isoenzyme composition of the tissue extracts.