BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lactate (LA) is a key metabolite in exercise metabolism, transported across cell membranes by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). Although genetic variation in MCT genes has been linked to LA kinetics, evidence in athletic populations remains limited. This study investigated nine MCT1 polymorphisms (rs4301628, rs12028967, rs10857983, rs3789592, rs10776763, rs1049434, rs6537765, rs7556664, rs7169) in relation to LA metabolism. METHODS: 337 Polish and Czech males (elite athletes, sub-elite competitors, physically active controls) performed two maximal Wingate tests. Buccal swabs were collected for DNA extraction and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. LA was assessed before and after the tests. RESULTS: Five variants (rs3789592, rs7556664, rs7169, rs1049434, rs6537765) remained significantly associated with LA measured 30 min after the second Wingate (LA30') and delta clearance capacity (DCC) in elites (codominant and recessive models: p = 0.01-0.03; false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted p = 0.02-0.04). Rs10776763 showed the broadest associations, surviving FDR for LA30' in all models (p = 0.003-0.03; FDR-adjusted p = 0.01-0.03) and for LA accumulation capacity (ACC) in the recessive model (p = 0.01; FDR-adjusted p = 0.03). Rs12028967 also supported a clearance role, with LA30' significant in elites (p = 0.004; FDR-adjusted p = 0.01) and DCC in the overall cohort (p = 0.02; FDR-adjusted p = 0.03). In contrast, rs4301628 and rs10857983 demonstrated isolated LA30' effects in elites (p = 0.004-0.01; FDR-adjusted p = 0.01), and no production-phase endpoint other than rs10776763 survived FDR; ACC remained significant in the recessive model (p = 0.01; FDR-adjusted p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that MCT1 polymorphisms contribute to differences in LA metabolism and warrant replication in larger, more diverse cohorts.

Department of Laboratory Diagnostics Military Institute of Aviation Medicine 01 755 Warsaw Poland

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health University of Cagliari 72 09124 Cagliari Italy

Faculty of Animal Genetics and Conservation Warsaw University of Life Sciences 02 787 Warsaw Poland

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University 162 52 Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Physical Education Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport 80 336 Gdansk Poland

Faculty of Physical Education Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw 00 968 Warsaw Poland

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