LACTATE TRANSPORT STUDIED IN SARCOLEMMAL GIANT VESICLES FROM RATS - EFFECT OF TRAINING

The effect of training on lactate transport capacity was studied in giant vesicles obtained with collagenase treatment of rat skeletal muscles. Marker enzyme analyses demonstrated that these vesicles are predominantly of sarcolemmal origin. Treadmill training induced significant adaptations in the capacity of rat skeletal muscles to transport lactate but swimming [low-intensity training, approximately 50% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)] did not. After 7 wk of moderate (90% of VO2max)- and high-intensity (112% of VO2max) interval treadmill training the carrier-mediated equilibrium exchange flux with 30 mM lactate was increased by 58 and 76%, respectively. During 5 wk of detraining the capacity to transport lactate decreased to near control level. It is concluded that physical training can increase the capacity to transport lactate in rat skeletal muscles and that the training intensity is of great importance. The adaptation appears to include both an increased number of transport proteins and a higher affinity of the individual transporters.