Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
05:58
Site-Specific Lysine Lactylation via Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli and Mammalian Cells
Published on: February 24, 2026
536
Lactate activates the somatotropic axis in rats
Rafael Barrera Salgueiro1, Rodrigo A Peliciari-Garcia1, Daniella do Carmo Buonfiglio1
1University of São Paulo, Institute of Biomedical Sciences-I, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Lactate, a byproduct of exercise, stimulates growth hormone (GH) release and synthesis by activating the somatotropic axis. This finding highlights lactate's potential role in exercise-induced GH secretion.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Physical activity alters blood metabolites and hormones, including lactate and growth hormone (GH).
- A correlation between lactate and GH during exercise is observed, but lactate's role in mediating GH production is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if lactate activates the somatotropic axis and stimulates GH synthesis and release.
- To determine lactate's contribution to exercise-induced GH secretion.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats received acute intraperitoneal injections of sodium lactate (15 or 150μmols).
- Serum GH levels were measured via ELISA.
- Growth hormone (Gh) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1) mRNA expression were quantified using qPCR at 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-injection.
Main Results:
- Both lactate doses increased serum GH and Gh mRNA expression at 30 minutes.
- The 15μmols dose maintained elevated serum GH levels throughout the experiment.
- Igf-1 mRNA expression increased 60 minutes after the 15μmols lactate injection, following the GH peak.
Conclusions:
- Lactate mediates the activation of the somatotropic axis.
- Lactate plays a role in GH synthesis and release.
- Lactate may contribute to the increased GH secretion observed during exercise.
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