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Effects of creatine supplementation on nociception in young male and female mice

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Abstract

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate creatine as an anti-nociceptive compound in an animal model of thermal and inflammatory pain. Creatine has the structural potential to interact with acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC), which have been involved in pain sensation modulation. The hypothesis evaluated in this study was that creatine will interact with ASICs leading to decreased nociception.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed with either a control diet or the control diet supplemented with creatine (6.25 g/kg diet). After one week on the diet, the mice were tested for thermal hyperalgesia and inflammatory pain response.

Results

The latency to withdraw the tail during the thermal hyperalgesia test was unaffected by sex or diet. During the formalin test, males and females responded differently to the stimulus, and the female mice supplemented with creatine seemed to recover faster than the controls. To determine whether ASICs mediate the action of creatine, GMQ, an ASIC3 agonist, was injected in one paw and pain response was quantified. Females responded more strongly to GMQ injections, and all mice fed creatine had a decreased response to GMQ.

Conclusions

These preliminary data suggest a potential effect of creatine on inflammation-based nociception that may be mediated via ASIC3. While preliminary, this study warrants further research on the potential of creatine as an analgesic and can serve as a stepping stone for the development of ASIC-based therapeutics.

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Abbreviations

APETx2:

Anthopleura Elegantissima toxin 2

ASIC:

acid sensing ion channel

CFA:

complete Freund’s adjuvant

GMQ:

2-guanidine-4-methylquinazoline

TRPV1:

transient receptor potential V1

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, USA

    Haydee Izurieta Munoz & Nathalie Sumien

  2. Department of Medical Education, Texas Christian University and UNT Health Science Center School of Medicine (Applicant for LCME accreditation), Fort Worth, USA

    Eric B. Gonzales

Authors
  1. Haydee Izurieta Munoz
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  2. Eric B. Gonzales
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  3. Nathalie Sumien
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Correspondence to Nathalie Sumien.

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Izurieta Munoz, H., Gonzales, E.B. & Sumien, N. Effects of creatine supplementation on nociception in young male and female mice. Pharmacol. Rep 70, 316–321 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2017.11.002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2017.11.002

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