lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme that is found in the cytoplasm of almost all body tissues, where its main function is to catalyze the oxidation of l-lactate to pyruvate. It is assayed as a measure of anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism and as one of several serum indicators of myocardial infarction and muscular dystrophies. Serum levels of LDH usually rise 12 to 18 hours after myocardial cell necrosis. See also aspartate aminotransferase, CK isoenzyme fraction, Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.
