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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for the financial support. RAB was fellowship recipient of a PhD scholarship from FAPESP (04/00573-1). The authors would like to thank JR de Mendonça, Dr. Tatiana C. Alba Loureiro, Erica P. Silva, Geraldina Oliveira de Souza, and Adhemar Pettri Filho for their constant assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas I, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes, 1524, Sala 105, Butantan, São Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    Reinaldo Abunasser Bassit, Carlos Hermano da Justa Pinheiro, Kaio Fernando Vitzel, Antônio José Sproesser, Leonardo R. Silveira & Rui Curi

  2. Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Antônio José Sproesser

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  1. Reinaldo Abunasser Bassit
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  2. Carlos Hermano da Justa Pinheiro
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  3. Kaio Fernando Vitzel
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  5. Leonardo R. Silveira
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  6. Rui Curi
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Correspondence to Reinaldo Abunasser Bassit.

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Communicated by Susan Ward.

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Bassit, R.A., Pinheiro, C.H., Vitzel, K.F. et al. Effect of short-term creatine supplementation on markers of skeletal muscle damage after strenuous contractile activity. Eur J Appl Physiol 108, 945–955 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1305-1

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