Concomitant Increases in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Lactate Post-Exercise Do Not Demonstrate a Direct...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neuronal plasticity and is influenced by physical activity.
• Lactate is a metabolic byproduct of anaerobic exercise, and its concentration changes significantly with exercise intensity.
• The Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene may affect BDNF secretion and response to stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between BDNF and lactate concentrations before and after a submaximal graded exercise test.
• To examine how the Val66Met polymorphism and sex influence the BDNF-lactate relationship during exercise.

Main Methods:

• 31 adults underwent a submaximal graded exercise test.
• BDNF and lactate concentrations were measured pre- and post-exercise.
• Genotyping for the Val66Met polymorphism was performed.
• Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between BDNF and lactate.

Main Results:

• Both BDNF and lactate concentrations significantly increased post-exercise (p < 0.001).
• No significant correlation was found between BDNF and lactate overall (pre-exercise: r = -0.256, p = 0.164; post-exercise: r = 0.112, p = 0.549; change: r = 0.019, p = 0.921).
• A moderate inverse correlation between BDNF and lactate was observed pre-exercise in individuals with the Val66Met polymorphism (r = -0.744, p = 0.009) and in males (r = -0.695, p = 0.006).

Conclusions:

• Submaximal graded exercise increases both BDNF and lactate levels.
• There is limited evidence for a direct correlation between BDNF and lactate concentrations in the general population after exercise.
• The Val66Met polymorphism and sex may modulate the relationship between BDNF and lactate during exercise.