Short-term creatine supplementation changes protein metabolism signaling in hindlimb suspension.

The effect of a short-term creatine supplementation on hindlimb suspension (HS)-induced muscle atrophy was investigated. Creatine monohydrate (5 g/kg b.w. per day) or placebo, divided in 2 daily doses, was given by oral gavage for 5 days. Rats were maintained in HS with dietary supplementation concomitantly for 5 days. Body weight, soleus and EDL muscle masses, and cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the muscle fibers were measured. Signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle mass regulation (FST, MSTN, FAK, IGF-1, MGF, Akt, mTOR, atrogin-1, and MuRF1 expressions, and Akt, S6, GSK3B, and 4EBP1 proteins) were evaluated in the muscles. Soleus muscle exhibited more atrophy than the EDL muscle due to HS. Creatine supplementation attenuated the decrease of wet weight and increased p-4EBP1 protein in the EDL muscle of HS rats. Also, creatine increased mTOR and atrogin-1 expressions in the same muscle and condition. In the absence of HS, creatine supplementation increased FAK and decreased MGF expressions in the EDL muscle. Creatine attenuated the increase in FST expression due to HS in the soleus muscle. MuRF1 expression increased in the soleus muscle due to creatine supplementation in HS animals whereas atrogin-1 expression increased still further in this group compared with untreated HS rats. In conclusion, short-term creatine supplementation changed protein metabolism signaling in soleus and EDL muscles. However, creatine supplementation only slightly attenuated the mass loss of both muscles and did not prevent the CSA reduction and muscle strength decrease induced by HS for 5 days.

Short-term creatine supplementation changes protein metabolism signaling in hindlimb suspension

The effect of a short-term creatine supplementation on hindlimb suspension (HS)-induced muscle atrophy was investigated. Creatine monohydrate (5 g/kg b.w. per day) or placebo, divided in 2 daily doses, was given by oral gavage for 5 days. Rats were maintained in HS with dietary supplementation concomitantly for 5 days. Body weight, soleus and EDL muscle masses, and cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the muscle fibers were measured. Signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle mass regulation (FST, MSTN, FAK, IGF-1, MGF, Akt, mTOR, atrogin-1, and MuRF1 expressions, and Akt, S6, GSK3B, and 4EBP1 proteins) were evaluated in the muscles. Soleus muscle exhibited more atrophy than the EDL muscle due to HS. Creatine supplementation attenuated the decrease of wet weight and increased p-4EBP1 protein in the EDL muscle of HS rats. Also, creatine increased mTOR and atrogin-1 expressions in the same muscle and condition. In the absence of HS, creatine supplementation increased FAK and decreased MGF expressions in the EDL muscle. Creatine attenuated the increase in FST expression due to HS in the soleus muscle. MuRF1 expression increased in the soleus muscle due to creatine supplementation in HS animals whereas atrogin-1 expression increased still further in this group compared with untreated HS rats. In conclusion, short-term creatine supplementation changed protein metabolism signaling in soleus and EDL muscles. However, creatine supplementation only slightly attenuated the mass loss of both muscles and did not prevent the CSA reduction and muscle strength decrease induced by HS for 5 days.

Creatine supplementation reduces plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE2 after a half-ironman competition.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of creatine supplementation upon plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines: Interleukin (IL) 1 beta and IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha), and Interferon alpha (INF alpha) and Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) after a half-ironman competition were investigated. METHODS: Eleven triathletes, each with at least three years experience of participation in this sport were randomly divided between the control and experimental groups. During 5 days prior to competition, the control group (n = 6) was supplemented with carbohydrate (20 g x d(-1)) whereas the experimental group (n = 5) received creatine (20 g x d(-1)) in a double-blind trial. Blood samples were collected 48 h before and 24 and 48 h after competition and were used for the measurement of cytokines and PGE(2). RESULTS: Forty-eight hours prior to competition there was no difference between groups in the plasma concentrations (pg x ml(-1), mean +/- SEM) of IL-6 (7.08 +/- 0.63), TNFalpha (76.50 +/- 5.60), INF alpha (18.32 +/- 1.20), IL-1 beta (23.42 +/- 5.52), and PGE(2) (39.71 +/- 3.8). Twenty-four and 48 h after competition plasma levels of TNFalpha, INF alpha, IL-1 beta and PGE(2) were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in both groups. However, the increases in these were markedly reduced following creatine supplementation. An increase in plasma IL-6 was observed only after 24 h and, in this case, there was no difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Creatine supplementation before a long distance triathlon competition may reduce the inflammatory response induced by this form of strenuous of exercise.

The effect of creatine supplementation upon inflammatory and muscle soreness markers after a 30km race.

We have evaluated the effect of a creatine supplementation protocol upon inflammatory and muscle soreness markers: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E2) (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after running 30km. Runners with previously experience in running marathons, with their personal best between 2.5-3h were supplemented for 5 days prior to the 30km race with 4 doses of 5g of creatine and 15g of maltodextrine per day while the control group received the same amount of maltodextrine. Pre-race blood samples were collected immediately before running the 30km, and 24h after the end of the test (the post-race samples). After the test, athletes from the control group presented an increase in plasma CK (4.4-fold), LDH (43%), PGE2 6.6-fold) and TNF-alpha (2.34-fold) concentrations, indicating a high level of cell injury and inflammation. Creatine supplementation attenuated the changes observed for CK (by 19%), PGE2 and TNF-alpha (by 60.9% and 33.7%, respectively, p<0.05) and abolished the increase in LDH plasma concentration observed after running 30km, The athletes did not present any side effects such as cramping, dehydration or diarrhea, neither during the period of supplementation, nor during the 30km race. All the athletes finished the race in a time equivalent to their personal best +/- 5.8%. These results indicate that creatine supplementation reduced cell damage and inflammation after an exhaustive intense race.

Carbohydrate supplementation during intense exercise and the immune response of cyclists.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of carbohydrate supplementation upon some aspects of the immune function in athletes during intense indoor cycling. METHODS: Twelve male athletes cycled for 20 min at a velocity corresponding to 90% of that obtained at the anaerobic threshold and rested for 20 min. This protocol was repeated six times. The athletes received, during the trial, water ad libitum, or a solution of carbohydrate (95% glucose polymers and 5% fructose) at 10% (w/v), 1 g kg h every 20 min, starting at the 10th minute of the first exercise period, plus extra water ad libitum. RESULTS: Exercise induced a reduction in peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation (37%) as well as in the production of cytokines by cultured cells (interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), by 37%, 35%, 26% and 16%, respectively). All of these changes were prevented by the ingestion of a carbohydrate drink by the athletes, except that in IFN-gamma production, which was equally decreased (17%) after the second trial. The concentration of plasma glutamine, an important fuel for immune cells, was decreased in the placebo group but maintained in the group that received carbohydrate. CONCLUSION: Carbohydrate supplementation affects positively the immune response of cyclists by avoiding or minimizing changes in plasma glutamine concentration.

The effect of BCAA supplementation upon the immune response of triathletes.

INTRODUCTION: Intense long-duration exercise could lead to immune suppression through a decrease in the circulating level of plasma glutamine. The decrease in plasma glutamine concentration as a consequence of intense long-duration exercise was reversed, in some cases, by supplementing the diet of the athletes with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). To better address this question, we have evaluated some blood parameters (lymphocyte proliferation, the level of plasma cytokines, plasma glutamine concentration, and in vitro production of cytokines by peripheral blood lymphocytes) before and after the São Paulo International Triathlon, as well as the incidence of symptoms of infections between the groups. METHODS: Twelve elite male triathletes of mean age 25.5 +/- 3.2 yr (ranging from 21.4 to 30.1 yr), weighing 74.16 +/- 3.9 kg, swam 1.5 km, cycled 40 km, and ran 10 km (Olympic triathlon) in the São Paulo International Triathlon held in April 1997 and April 1998. In both events, six athletes received BCAA and the others, placebo. RESULTS: Athletes from the BCAA group (BG) presented the same levels of plasma glutamine, before and after the trial, whereas those from the placebo group showed a reduction of 22.8% in plasma glutamine concentration after the competition. Changes in the proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes were accompanied by a reduction in IL-1 production after exercise (22.2%), which was reversed by BCAA supplementation (20.3%), without changes in IL-2 production. DISCUSSION: The data obtained show that BCAA supplementation can reverse the reduction in serum glutamine concentration observed after prolonged intense exercise such as an Olympic triathlon. The decrease in plasma glutamine concentration is paralleled by an increased incidence of symptoms of infections that results in augmented proliferative response of lymphocytes cultivated in the absence of mitogens. The prevention of the lowering of plasma glutamine concentration allows an increased response of lymphocytes to ConA and LPS, as well as an increased production of IL-1 and 2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, possibly linked to the lower incidence of symptoms of infection (33.84%) reported by the supplemented athletes.