Oral creatine supplementation in humans does not elevate urinary excretion of the carcinogen N-nitrososarcosine.
OBJECTIVE
Creatine is a popular oral supplement in athletes and may have therapeutical potential in neuromuscular diseases. It has been hypothesized that creatine ingestion can lead to increased formation of the carcinogen N-nitrososarcosine.


METHODS
We investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study the urinary excretion of N-nitrososarcosine after 1-wk high-dose (20 g/d) and 20-wk low-dose (5 g/d) creatine supplementation in healthy humans.


CONCLUSIONS
Creatine ingestion does not systematically increase urinary N-nitrososarcosine excretion.
Derave
Wim
W
Research Unit of Exercise and Health, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Leuven, Belgium. wim.derave@ugent.be
Vanden Eede
Els
E
Hespel
Peter
P
Carmella
Steven G
SG
Hecht
Stephen S
SS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000652:urine*
D002273:Carcinogens; D009602:Nitrosamines; C013162:N-nitrososarcosine; D003401:Creatine