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Effects of acute creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular responses in older men; a randomized controlled
Adrian Aron1, Eryn J Landrum1, Adam D Schneider1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Waldron College of Health and Human Services, Radford University, Radford, VA, USA.
Insights
Short-term creatine supplementation improved vascular health in older adults by reducing arterial stiffness and potentially aiding in cardiovascular disease management. This study highlights creatine
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Creatine shows promise for neurodegenerative diseases, myopathies, and dystrophies.
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may benefit from creatine due to its effects on inflammation, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.
- Investigating creatine's impact on cardiac and vascular health in older adults is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of short-term creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular health in older adults.
- To determine if creatine supplementation influences risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
- To evaluate changes in arterial stiffness and cardiac function.
Main Methods:
- Older males (55-80 years) were randomized into creatine, placebo, and control groups.
- Supplementation involved 20 g/day of creatine or placebo for 7 days.
- Vascular responses were measured by arterial pulse wave velocity, and cardiac function by impedance cardiography.
Main Results:
- The creatine group showed a significant improvement in cardio-ankle vascular index (p=0.03).
- A non-significant trend towards reduced upstroke time and systolic blood pressure was observed in the creatine group.
- Cardiac function parameters (stroke volume, contractility, ejection fraction) showed no significant differences across groups.
Conclusions:
- Acute creatine supplementation positively impacts vascular parameters, specifically arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, in older adults.
- Creatine supplementation shows potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing cardiovascular diseases in the elderly.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term cardiovascular benefits of creatine.
Background And Aims:
In the recent years creatine has been shown promising results in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, myopathies and dystrophies. Cardiovascular diseases could be another pathology that can benefit from creatine supplementation, considering the influence on the risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases including reduction in chronic inflammation, and improved control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of short-term creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular health in older adults.
Methods:
Males between the ages of 55-80 were randomly assigned to three groups: creatine, placebo and control. Creatine or placebo was provided for 7-day supplementation, at a dose of 20 g/day. Testing was performed at the same time of the day at baseline and on the eighth day. Vascular responses were assessed using an arterial pulse wave velocity equipment, while cardiac assessment was performed using an impedance cardiography device.
Results:
The placebo group was older (71.1 ± 8.2 yr) compared to creatine (61.4 ± 5.2 yr) and control (62.5 ± 7.1 yr). Cardio-ankle vascular index improved just in the creatine group (8.7 ± 0.5 to 8.2 ± 0.5, p = 0.03). While the upstroke time of the placebo and control groups did not change after 7 days, the creatine group had a nonsignificant reduction, 178.9 ± 26.5 ms to 158.4 ± 28.6 ms, p = 0.07. Similar tendency was seen with the systolic blood pressures, while the placebo and control did not change, the creatine group showed nonsignificant improvement, especially on the right, 144.0 ± 12.7 mmHg to 136.1 ± 13.4 mmHg, p = 0.08. All three groups had similar responses in stroke volume (p = 0.61), contractility index (p = 0.64) and ejection fraction (p = 0.72).
Conclusions:
In older adults, acute creatine supplementation can positively affect vascular parameters of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis. Creatine supplementation has the potential to serve as a potent adjuvant in the management of CVD for older adults.
Clinical Trial Registration:
clinicaltrials.gov; ID: NCT05329480.
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