Functional Training Mitigates Reduced Circulating Indole-3-Lactate Levels in Persons With Relapsing-Remitting...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Indoles, tryptophan-derived gut microbial metabolites, influence the gut-brain axis in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Indole-3-lactate (ILA) is reduced in MS patients and shows anti-inflammatory, remyelinating properties in animal models.
• The ILA/indole-3-acetate (IAA) ratio (ILA/IAA) serves as a neuroprotection index, modifiable by exercise and diet.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of acute and chronic exercise on serum indole levels in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.
• To assess the impact of a 10-week multimodal functional training program on the ILA/IAA index.
• To evaluate the acute effects of a single exercise bout on circulating indole levels.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial involving 31 RRMS patients.
• Comparison of serum indole concentrations (measured by LC-MS/MS) at baseline, post-10-week intervention, and in matched healthy controls.
• Assessment of acute exercise effects via blood sampling before, during, and immediately after a training session.

Main Results:

• RRMS patients exhibited different baseline indole levels compared to healthy controls, with reduced ILA.
• Chronic multimodal training (10 weeks) significantly increased the ILA/IAA index.
• An acute bout of exercise led to increased levels of both ILA and the ILA/IAA index.

Conclusions:

• A 10-week multimodal functional training program improved the ILA/IAA index in RRMS patients, indicating a potential neuroprotective shift in gut microbiota.
• Acute exercise can rapidly increase circulating ILA levels.
• Exercise interventions show promise for modulating gut microbiota metabolites and supporting neuroprotection in MS.