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Exercise training, creatine supplementation, and bone health in ovariectomized rats

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Abstract

Summary

Evidence suggests that creatine may have some beneficial effects on bone. The study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise alone or combined with creatine on bone health in ovariectomized rats. Findings show that exercise, but not creatine, has an important role in improving bone health.

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training alone or combined with creatine supplementation on bone health parameters in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of five groups: (i) sham-operated, (ii) ovariectomized non-trained placebo-supplemented, (iii) ovariectomized non-trained creatine-supplemented, (iv) ovariectomized exercise-trained placebo-supplemented, and (v) ovariectomized exercise-trained creatine-supplemented. Downhill running training and/or creatine supplementation (300 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 12 weeks. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and biomechanical and histomorphometric parameters were assessed.

Results

No interaction effects were observed for BMC and BMD at whole body, femur, and lumbar spine (p > 0.05). Importantly, a main effect of training was detected for whole body BMC and BMD (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively), femoral BMC and BMD (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively), and lumbar spine BMC and BMD (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), suggesting that the trained animals had higher bone mass, irrespective of creatine supplementation. Main effects of training were also observed for maximal load (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001), and toughness (p = 0.046), indicating beneficial effects of exercise training on bone strength. Neither a main effect of supplementation nor an interaction effect was detected for biomechanical parameters (p > 0.05). No main or interaction effects were observed for any of the histomorphometric parameters evaluated (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Exercise training, but not creatine supplementation, attenuated ovariectomy-induced bone loss in this rat model.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Probiotica for donating the creatine supplements. This study was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) (2012/04695-0).

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    I. H. Murai, H. Roschel, R. T. dos Santos Pereira, W. S. Dantas & B. Gualano

  2. School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    H. Roschel, L. Takayama, R. B. de Oliveira, R. M. R. Pereira, V. Jorgetti & B. Gualano

  3. School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    L. V. S. Pabis & R. Y. Ballester

  4. School of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

    R. B. de Oliveira

  5. Departamento de Biodinâmica do Movimento Humano, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Av. Mello de Moraes, 65, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil

    B. Gualano

Authors
  1. I. H. Murai
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  2. H. Roschel
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  4. L. Takayama
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  6. R. T. dos Santos Pereira
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  7. W. S. Dantas
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  8. R. M. R. Pereira
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  9. V. Jorgetti
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  11. B. Gualano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Gualano.

Electronic supplementary material

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Online Resource 1

Pictorial view of the three-point bending protocol (GIF 675 kb)

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Online Resource 2

Body weight throughout the study (GIF 25 kb)

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Online Resource 3

Chow consumption throughout the study (GIF 15 kb)

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Murai, I.H., Roschel, H., Pabis, L.V.S. et al. Exercise training, creatine supplementation, and bone health in ovariectomized rats. Osteoporos Int 26, 1395–1404 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-3017-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-3017-6

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