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
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.
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:
- 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.