FAT LOSS AND MUSCLE GAIN: THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF CORTICAL GLUTAMATE IN DETERMINING THE EFFICACY OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Abstract Background Physical exercise effectiveness in treating obesity remains contentious. Aims & Objectives Owing to the roles of glutamate in appetite, food addiction and impulsivity, this study aimed to identify medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) glutamate as a predictor of variability in exercise response, specifically in terms of fat loss and muscle gain. Method Healthy non-exercising adult men (n=21) underwent an 8- week supervised exercise program. Baseline glutamate levels in the mPFC were measured through magnetic resonance spectroscopy. For exercise-dependent changes in fat, muscle, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and blood metabolic biomarkers were obtained, respectively. Results The exercise program resulted in significant improvements in most of the index (Table1). Interestingly, lower baseline glutamate levels were associated with greater loss in percentage body fat mass (r = 0.58, p = 0.01, Fig 1), body fat mass (r = 0.53, p = 0.02), and increase in muscle mass (r = −0.50, p = 0.03). Discussion & Conclusion The results highlight cortical glutamate as a potential predictor of exercise-induced fat loss and muscle gain.