Pyruvate (pyruvic acid) is a key intermediate in cellular metabolic pathways and is derived primarily from glucose via glycolysis. Abnormal blood pyruvate levels are reported in a number of disorders including shock, liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, thiamine deficiency, and metabolic disorders. Cayman's Pyruvate Assay provides a fluorescence-based method for quantifying pyruvate in biological samples such as serum, plasma, blood, urine, and saliva. It can also be utilized to determine intracellular and extracellular pyruvate concentrations in cell culture samples.