Exogenous Lactate Treatment Immediately after Exercise Promotes Glycogen Recovery in Type-II Muscle in Mice

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Lactate's role in post-exercise recovery is increasingly recognized.
• Previous research indicates potential benefits of lactate intake for glycogen replenishment.
• Further investigation is needed to isolate lactate's specific effects and timing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of immediate post-exercise lactate supplementation on glycogen recovery.
• To assess the effects on liver and skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis and related factors.
• To determine the optimal timing for lactate's glycogen recovery benefits.

Main Methods:

• Mice were divided into sedentary, exercise-only, lactate, and saline groups.
• Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA expression.
• Key factors for glycogen synthesis and lactate transport were analyzed in liver and skeletal muscle.

Main Results:

• Skeletal muscle glycogen concentration showed an increasing trend with lactate supplementation at 3 and 5 hours post-exercise.
• Exogenous lactate significantly upregulated core glycogen synthesis enzymes and lactate transporters in skeletal muscle.
• Liver glycogen synthesis and lactate transport were not significantly affected by lactate supplementation.

Conclusions:

• Post-exercise lactate supplementation enhances glycogen synthesis and recovery specifically in skeletal muscles.
• Lactate's benefits appear localized to skeletal muscle, with minimal impact on liver metabolism.
• This suggests targeted lactate administration could be a viable strategy for athletic recovery.