Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
03:17
Static Strength Training Method for Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Published on: March 29, 2024
Creatine in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Bruno Gualano1, Vitor DE Salles Painneli, Hamilton Roschel
1Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sports, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. gualano@usp.br
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 1, 2010
Summary
Creatine supplementation combined with exercise significantly improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. This intervention enhances glucose tolerance and appears to work by increasing GLUT-4 translocation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired glycemic control.
- Exercise training is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management.
- Creatine supplementation has shown benefits for glucose tolerance in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of creatine supplementation in improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing exercise training.
- To investigate the impact of creatine on key glycemic markers and insulin sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving type 2 diabetic patients.
- Participants received either 5g/day of creatine or a placebo, alongside a structured exercise program.
- Primary outcome was glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c); secondary outcomes included glucose/insulin response and GLUT-4 expression.
Main Results:
- Creatine supplementation significantly reduced HbA1c levels compared to placebo (P=0.004).
- The creatine group showed a significantly lower glucose area under the curve (P=0.05) and improved glucose tolerance.
- Increased GLUT-4 translocation was observed in the creatine group, suggesting a mechanism for improved glucose uptake.
Conclusions:
- Combining creatine supplementation with exercise training effectively improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.
- The enhanced glucose control is likely mediated by increased GLUT-4 recruitment to the muscle cell membrane.
- Creatine offers a potential adjunctive therapy for managing type 2 diabetes, particularly when combined with physical activity.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:25Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
01:19Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...