title: Beneficial effects of creatine supplementation in dystrophic patients.
abstract: The effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation on muscle function and body composition of 12 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and three with Becker dystrophy was evaluated by a randomized double-blind cross-over study (3 g Cr or maltodextrin daily for 3 months, with wash-out period of 2 months). After placebo, no change was observed in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and resistance to fatigue, whereas total joint stiffness (TJS) was increased by approximately 25% (P < 0.05). The patients receiving Cr did not show any change in TJS, improved MVC by 15% (P = 0.02), and almost doubled their resistance to fatigue (P < 0.001). In patients still independent of a wheelchair (n = 5), bone mineral density increased by 3% (P < 0.05), and urinary excretion of collagen type I cross-linking N-telopeptide declined to about one third (P < 0.001) after Cr. No adverse effect was observed. Thus, Cr may provide some symptomatic benefit in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Education Physique et de Réadaptation, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1 Place Pierre de Coubertin, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lebacq
authors.forename: Jacques R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Poortmans
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Belpaire-Dethiou
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Devogelaer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goubel
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francaux
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D003404:Creatinine