Creatine-enhanced diet alters levels of lactate and free fatty acids after experimental brain injury.
Free fatty acids (FFA) and lactic acid are markers of secondary cellular injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We previously showed that animals fed a creatine (Cr)-enriched diet are afforded neuroprotection following TBI. To further characterize the neuroprotective Cr diet, we studied neurochemical changes in cortex and hippocampus following a moderate injury. Adult rats were fed either a control or Cr-supplemented diet (0.5%, 1%) for 2 weeks before TBI. At 30 min or 6 h after injury, tissue was processed for quantitative analysis of neurochemical changes. Both lactate and FFA were significantly increased in all tissues ipsilateral to the injury. Cr-fed animals had significantly lower levels, although the levels were elevated compared to sham controls. Animals fed a 1% Cr-diet were afforded greater neuroprotection than animals fed a 0.5% Cr diet. These results support the idea that a Cr-enriched diet can provide substantial neuroprotection in part by suppressing secondary brain injury.
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 101 Sanders-Brown, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0230, USA. sscheff@email.uky.edu
Stephen W
SW
Scheff
Harabhajan S
HS
Dhillon
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000378:metabolism*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003401:Creatine