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Related Experiment Videos

Direct antioxidant properties of creatine.

John M Lawler1, William S Barnes, Gaoyao Wu

  • 1276-B Read Building, Redox Biology and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4243, USA. jml2621@neo.tamu.edu

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 10, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Creatine supplementation may enhance athletic performance by acting as a direct antioxidant. This study found creatine effectively neutralizes harmful reactive oxygen species, suggesting a novel mechanism for its ergogenic effects.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Sports Science
  • Nutritional Supplementation

Background:

  • Creatine is a popular ergogenic aid with proposed benefits for lean body mass, strength, and power.
  • The precise mechanisms behind creatine's efficacy remain unclear, with limited evidence regarding its antioxidant properties.
  • Reactive oxygen species can influence muscle fatigue and protein turnover, highlighting the need to investigate creatine's antioxidant potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct antioxidant capacity of creatine.
  • To determine if creatine can neutralize key reactive oxygen species, including superoxide anions, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxides.
  • To assess creatine's antioxidant scavenging capacity (ASC) using a standard assay.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • In vitro testing of creatine's ability to scavenge superoxide anions (O(*-)(2)), peroxynitrite (OONO-), hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxides (t-butyl hydroperoxide).
  • Measurement of antioxidant scavenging capacity (ASC) via 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazolamine-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) quenching.
  • Comparison of creatine's antioxidant activity against control groups and physiological levels of reduced glutathione.

    • Main Results:

    • Creatine demonstrated a significant ability to neutralize superoxide anions (O(*-)(2)) and peroxynitrite (OONO-).
    • Creatine exhibited significant antioxidant scavenging capacity (ASC) via ABTS+ quenching.
    • No significant reduction in hydrogen peroxide or lipid peroxidation levels was observed with creatine treatment.
    • Creatine's ABTS+ quenching capacity was lower than physiological levels of reduced glutathione.

    Conclusions:

    • Creatine possesses direct antioxidant properties, effectively neutralizing specific reactive oxygen species.
    • This antioxidant activity represents a potential novel mechanism contributing to creatine's ergogenic effects.
    • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate creatine's role as an antioxidant in physiological contexts.