Increased plasma ᴅ-lactic acid associated with impaired memory in rats

Aim: ᴅ-Lactic acidosis is associated with memory impairment in humans. Recent research indicates that ᴅ-lactic acid may inhibit the supply of energy from astrocytes to neurons involved with memory formation. However, little is known about the effects of increased hind-gut fermentation due to changes in diet on circulating lactic acid concentrations and memory. Method: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were fed three dietary treatments: a commercial rat and mouse chow, a soluble carbohydrate based diet or a fermentable carbohydrate based diet. The parameters estimating memory were examined by employing the object recognition test. Physical parameters of fermentation including hind-gut and plasma lactic acid concentrations were examined after sacrifice, either 3 or 21 h after feeding. Results: Increased fermentation in the hind-gut of rats, indicated by lower caecum pH, was associated with increased plasma L-lactic acid (r=-0.41, p=0.020) and ᴅ-lactic acid (r=-0.33, p=0.087). Memory, being able to discriminate between a familiar and a novel object during the object recognition test, was reduced with increasing plasma ᴅ-lactic acid (r=−0.51, p=0.021). Conclusions: Memory impairment was associated with alterations in plasma ᴅ-lactic acid following the fermentation of carbohydrate in the hind-gut. Further work is still required to determine whether these effects are mediated centrally or via direct connections through the enteric nervous system.