Effects of creatine supplementation on muscle wasting and glucose homeostasis in rats treated with dexamethasone

• Published in: Amino acids 2012-05, Vol.42 (5), p.1695-1701
• Main Authors: Nicastro, Humberto, Gualano, Bruno, de Moraes, Wilson Max Almeida Monteiro, de Salles Painelli, Vitor, da Luz, Claudia Ribeiro, dos Santos Costa, Andre, de Salvi Guimarães, Fabiana, Medeiros, Alessandra, Brum, Patricia Chakur, Lancha, Antonio Herbert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Animals; Biochemical Engineering; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Chromium; Creatine - administration & dosage; Dexamethasone; Dexamethasone - administration & dosage; Drinking Water; Glucose; Glucose Transporter Type 4 - metabolism; Human; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Life Sciences; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscles; Muscular Atrophy - drug therapy; Muscular Atrophy - metabolism; Neurobiology; Original Article; Proteomics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Rats
• ISSN: 0939-4451; 1438-2199
• DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-0871-9

We aimed to investigate the possible role of creatine (CR) supplementation in counteracting dexamethasone-induced muscle wasting and insulin resistance in rats. Also, we examined whether CR intake would modulate molecular pathways involved in muscle remodeling and insulin signaling. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: (1) dexamethasone (DEX); (2) control pair-fed (CON-PF); (3) dexamethasone plus CR (DEX-CR); and (4) CR pair-fed (CR-PF). Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg/day) and CR (5 g/kg/day) were given via drinking water for 7 days. Plantaris and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were removed for analysis. Plantaris and EDL muscle mass were significantly reduced in the DEX-CR and DEX groups when compared with the CON-PF and CR-PF groups ( P