Renal, hepatic and muscle effects of creatine supplementation in an older adults experimental model

Creatine is a dietary supplement with potential capacity to stimulate the phosphocreatine pathway and protein synthesis, through the stimulation of the PI3-K/AKT and mTOR cascade, its use in populations with reduced muscle preservation capacity (such as the older adults) can be an interesting and low-cost alternative. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological, stereological and morphometric effects of the use of creatine monohydrate for 8 weeks on the renal, hepatic and muscular tissues of 26-month-old Wistar rats.

Twelve Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each. Group 1 was not supplemented with creatine and received a standard diet consisting of water and chow. Group 2 received the same diet, but was supplemented with creatine monohydrate at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg of body weight diluted in 200 ml of drinking water for 8 weeks.

Supplementation reduced muscle mass loss as indicated by the perimeter of the perimysium (group 1: 114.6 μm; group 2: 65.2 μm) and endomysium (group 1: 41,239.3 μm; group 2: 12,437.6 μm) compared to the non-supplemented group. In addition, a larger cross-sectional area was observed in group 2. No significant kidney or liver damage was observed in the supplemented group.

The use of creatine is considered safe in the animal model used, as this amine does not cause glomerular reductions or hepatic degeneration.