title: Maternal creatine supplementation from mid-pregnancy protects the diaphragm of the newborn spiny mouse from intrapartum hypoxia-induced damage.
abstract: We hypothesized that maternal creatine supplementation from mid-pregnancy would protect the diaphragm of the newborn spiny mouse from the effects of intrapartum hypoxia. Pregnant mice were fed a control or 5% creatine-supplemented diet from mid-gestation. On the day before term, intrapartum hypoxia was induced by isolating the pregnant uterus in a saline bath for 7.5-8 min before releasing and resuscitating the fetuses. Surviving pups were placed with a cross-foster dam, and diaphragm tissue was collected at 24 h postnatal age. Hypoxia caused a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area (∼19%) and contractile function (26.6% decrease in maximum Ca2=-activated force) of diaphragm fibers. The mRNA levels of the muscle mass-regulating genes MuRF1 and myostatin were significantly increased (2-fold). Maternal creatine significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced fiber atrophy, contractile dysfunction, and changes in mRNA levels. This study demonstrates that creatine loading before birth significantly protects the diaphragm from hypoxia-induced damage at birth.
authors.affiliation: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Victoria 3125 Australia.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cannata
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.forename: Aaron P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Jan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D051379:Mice; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D003401:Creatine