The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing 250 to 2400 millimoles per liter of lactate or lactic acid, 2 to 10 millimoles per liter of potassium cation and optionally 2 to 5 millimoles per liter of calcium cation. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical uses of this composition. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical uses of a composition having a lactic acid or lactate concentration between 250 to 2400 millimoles per liter.