Inigo San-millan, United States of America
University of Colorado School of Medicine Endocrinology, Metabolism and DiabetesPresenter of 1 Presentation
A NOVEL METHODOLOGY TO ASSESS METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY AND MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN ORDER TO PRESCRIBE PERSONALIZED EXERCISE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH OBESITY AND DIABETES.
Abstract
Background and Aims
Mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) and metabolic inflexibility are hallmarks of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Exercise as medicine is a reality and along with nutrition, the most effective way to prevent obesity and T2D. Our JDRF group recently published new exercise guidelines for individuals with T1D1. However, it is necessary to improve and personalize exercise prescription. Measuring substrate utilization and lactate during exercise could be a valid method to assess metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial function in order to prescribe individualized exercise programs.
Methods
25 Endurance athletes (EA), 25 moderately active individuals (MA) and 20 individuals with obesity and T2D (OB/T2D) performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion. Lactate ([La-]), as well as fat and carbohydrate oxidation (FATox and CHOox) were measured throughout the test. Comparisons and correlations between [La-] and FATox observed were done by means of a Student t-test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.001.
Results
At a same relative exercise intensity, FATox was significantly higher in EA and MA than in OB/T2D (p<0.0001). [La-] was significantly lower in EA and MA compared to OB/T2D (p<0.0001). Correlations between FATox and [La-] in all the 3 groups was high, r=-0.95, p<0.0001 in EA, r=-0.96, p<0.00001 in MA and r=-0.93, p<0.001 in OB/T2D.
Conclusions
Lactate highly correlates with fat metabolism during exercise across different populations. The measurement of blood lactate concentration and FATox during exercise provides an indirect method to assess metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial function in individuals in order to prescribe individualized exercise programs to target obesity and T2D.