Effect of short-term creatine supplementation on markers of skeletal muscle damage after strenuous contractile activity

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2010-03, Vol.108 (5), p.945-955
• Main Authors: Bassit, Reinaldo Abunasser, Pinheiro, Carlos Hermano da Justa, Vitzel, Kaio Fernando, Sproesser, Antônio José, Silveira, Leonardo R., Curi, Rui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - metabolism; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Competition; Creatine - administration & dosage; Dietary Supplements; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Electric Stimulation - adverse effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human Physiology; Humans; Male; Motor Activity - drug effects; Motor Activity - physiology; Muscle Contraction - drug effects; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscle Fatigue - drug effects; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - drug effects; Muscle, Skeletal - injuries; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscular Diseases - metabolism; Muscular Diseases - prevention & control; Muscular system; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physical Exertion - drug effects; Physical Exertion - physiology; Placebos; Plasma; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Sports Medicine; Time Factors; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-009-1305-1

The protective effect of short-term creatine supplementation (CrS) upon markers of strenuous contractile activity-induced damage in human and rat skeletal muscles was investigated. Eight Ironman triathletes were randomized into the placebo (Pl; n  = 4) and creatine-supplemented (CrS; n  = 4) groups. Five days prior to the Ironman competition, the CrS group received creatine monohydrate (20 g day −1 ) plus maltodextrin (50 g) divided in two equal doses. The Pl group received maltodextrin (50 g day −1 ) only. The effect of CrS (5 g day −1 /kg body weight for 5 days) was also evaluated in a protocol of strenuous contractile activity induced by electrical stimulation in rats. Blood samples were collected before and 36 and 60 h after the competition and were used to determine plasma activities of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aldolase (ALD), glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. In rats, plasma activities of CK and LDH, muscle vascular permeability (MVP) using Evans blue dye, muscle force and fatigue were evaluated. Activities of CK, ALD, LDH, GOT, GTP, and levels of CRP were increased in the Pl group after the competition as compared to basal values. CrS decreased plasma activities of CK, LDH, and ALD, and prevented the rise of GOT and GPT plasma activities. In rats, CrS delayed the fatigue, preserved the force, and prevented the rise of LDH and CK plasma activities and MVP in the gastrocnemius muscle. CrS presented a protective effect on muscle injury induced by strenuous contractile activities.