Jonathan Long: Lactate-Phe and Ketone-Phe: Exerkines and Fastokines for Brain Health and Plasticity?

During vigorous exercise lactic acid (lactate) levels increase in the blood and during fasting and extended exercise the levels of the ketone BHB (b-hydroxybutyrate) increase. In this episode I talk with Stanford University professor Jonathan Long about his recent discovery that lactate and BHB in the blood are bound to the amino acid phenylalanine and that they (Lac-Phe and BHB-Phe) have beneficial effects on metabolic and brain health. Lac-Phe levels increase markedly in response to exercise in mice, humans, and race horses. Peripheral administration of Lac-Phe in suppresses food intake and reverses diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice.  Genetic ablation of Lac-Phe biosynthesis causes hyperphagy and obesity even in exercising mice showing a critical role for Lac-Phe in the beneficial effects of exercise. BHB-Phe has similar effects on food intake and metabolic health. We talk about the potential benefits of Lac-Phe and BHB-Phe for brain health and resilience. 

LINKS

The Long laboratory webpage:  https://longlabstanford.org/

Lac-Phe articles:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9767481/pdf/nihms-1852727.pdf

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10635077/pdf/nihpp-2023.11.02.565321v1.pdf

BHB-Phe article:  https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0092-8674%2824%2901214-5