Putative Role of MCT1 rs1049434 Polymorphism in High-Intensity Endurance Performance: Concept and Basis to Understand Possible Individualization Stimulus

Abstract

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) have been proposed as important mediators of the exchange between lactate (La^-) producer and La^- recipient (consumer) cells. Previous studies have suggested that the <i>MCT1</i> A1470T genotype could be related to different physical performance phenotypes. This study followed the guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies (STREGA) and aimed to evaluate the distribution of the <i>MCT1</i> polymorphism rs1049434 in endurance-trained athletes compared to the untrained population. Moreover, this study explored the potential influence of the polymorphism alleles phenotypes on high-intensity exercise performance. In a cross-sectional study fashion, a total of 85 triathletes from northern Spain were genotyped for <i>MCT1</i> rs1049434 and compared to a control group of 107 healthy male participants (1000 Genomes Research Study for Iberian Populations in Spain). All athletes performed a 30 s Wingate all-out test (WAnT) on a cycle ergometer. Peak and mean power (absolute and relative) were measured. After verification of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the findings indicated that the <i>MCT1</i> TT genotype was overrepresented in triathletes in comparison to the genotypic frequency of the general Spanish population. No significant associations were found between any <i>MCT1</i> genotype and peak or mean power performance in the WAnT. Further studies are required to understand the relationship among <i>MCT1</i> A1470T polymorphism, endurance-trained athletes, and high-intensity performance.