Advancements in early biomarkers of acute kidney injury: from traditional indicators to a paradigm shift in lactate metabolism

<b>Conclusion:</b> Lactate metabolism provides a metabolic window into early AKI-related renal stress and injury mechanisms. Treating lactate as a complementary marker within a multiparametric diagnostic framework, rather than relying on a single threshold, may enable earlier recognition of metabolic abnormalities and support more timely and individualized intervention strategies.