Is lactate food for neurons? Comparison of monocarboxylate transporter subtypes in brain and muscle

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 145; no. 1; pp. 11 - 19
• Main Author: Bergersen, L.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 02.03.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; brain; Brain - metabolism; electron microscopy; exercise; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; immunocytochemistry; ischemia; Lactic Acid - metabolism; Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters - metabolism; Muscles - metabolism; Neurology; Neurons - metabolism; skeletal muscle; Striated muscle. Tendons; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; FG; monocarboxylate transporter; immunocytochemistry; exercise; brain; ischemia; fast-twitch glycolytic; electron microscopy; slow-twitch oxidative; skeletal muscle; SO; fast-twitch oxidative glycolytic; FOG; MCT; Physical exercise; Immunocytochemistry; Central nervous system; Cardiovascular disease; Striated muscle; Monocarboxylate transporter; Encephalon; Lactates; Neuron; Ischemia
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.11.062

Abstract Intercellular monocarboxylate transport is important, particularly in tissues with high energy demands, such as brain and muscle. In skeletal muscle, it is well established that glycolytic fast twitch muscle fibers produce lactate, which is transported out of the cell through the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) 4. Lactate is then taken up and oxidized by the oxidative slow twitch muscle fibers, which express MCT1. In the brain it is still questioned whether lactate produced in astrocytes is taken up and oxidized by neurons upon activation. Several studies have reported that astrocytes express MCT4, whereas neurons express MCT2. By comparing the localizations of MCTs in oxidative and glycolytic compartments I here give support to the idea that there is a lactate shuttle in the brain similar to that in muscle. This conclusion is based on studies in rodents using high resolution immunocytochemical methods at the light and electron microscopical levels.