Influence of creatine supplementation on bone mass of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence has suggested that creatine supplementation (Cr) can increase the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur in healthy growing rats. Nevertheless, studies assessing the efficacy of the Cr supplementation in conditions characterized by bone mass loss are scarce.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Cr supplementation on BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), an experimental model of osteoporosis.


METHODS
Sixteen 8-month-old male SHRs were randomly allocated into two groups matched by body weight: 1) Pl group: SHRs treated with placebo (distilled water; n = 8); and 2) Cr group: SHRs treated with Cr (n = 8). After nine weeks of supplementation, the animals were euthanized and their femur and spine (L1-L4) were analyzed by use of densitometry (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry).


RESULTS
No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding either the spine or the total femur measures as follows: spine - BMD (Pl = 0.249 ± 0.003 g/cm² vs. Cr = 0.249 ± 0.004 g/cm²; P = 0.95) and BMC (Pl = 0.509 ± 0.150 g vs. Cr = 0.509 ± 0.017 g; P > 0.99); and total femur - BMD (Pl = 0.210 ± 0.004 g/cm² vs. Cr = 0.206 ± 0.004 g/cm²; P > 0.49) and BMC (Pl = 0.407 ± 0.021 g vs. Cr = 0.385 ± 0.021 g; P > 0.46).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, using the experimental model of osteoporosis, Cr supplementation had no effect on bone mass.
Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo.
Christiano Robles Rodrigues
CR
Alves
Igor Hisashi
IH
Murai
Pamella
P
Ramona
Humberto
H
Nicastro
Lilian
L
Takayama
Fabiana
F
Guimarães
Antonio Herbert
AH
Lancha Junior
Maria Claudia
MC
Irigoyen
Rosa Maria Rodrigues
RM
Pereira
Bruno
B
Gualano
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D003401:Creatine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR
D003401:Creatine