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Effects of creatine supplementation on renal function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

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Abstract

Creatine (CR) supplementation is commonly used by athletes. However, its effects on renal function remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation on renal function in healthy sedentary males (18–35 years old) submitted to exercise training. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed. Subjects (n = 18) were randomly allocated to receive treatment with either creatine (CR) (∼10 g day−1 over 3 months) or placebo (PL) (dextrose). All subjects undertook moderate intensity aerobic training, in three 40-min sessions per week, during 3 months. Serum creatinine, serum and urinary sodium and potassium were determined at baseline and at the end of the study. Cystatin C was assessed prior to training (PRE), after 4 (POST 4) and 12 weeks (POST 12). Cystatin C levels (mg L−1) (PRE CR: 0.82 ± 0.09; PL: 0.88 ± 0.07 vs. POST 12 CR: 0.71 ± 0.06; PL: 0.75 ± 0.09, P = 0.0001) were decreased over time, suggesting an increase in glomerular filtration rate. Serum creatinine decreased with training in PL but was unchanged with training in CR. No significant differences were observed within or between groups in other parameters investigated. The decrease in cystatin C indicates that high-dose creatine supplementation over 3 months does not provoke any renal dysfunction in healthy males undergoing aerobic training. In addition, the results suggest that moderate aerobic training per se may improve renal function.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for financial support. We would also like to express our thanks to the subjects who took part in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Bruno Gualano, Carlos Ugrinowitsch, Rafael Batista Novaes, Guilherme Gianini Artioli & Antonio Herbert Lancha Jr

  2. School of Medicine, Nephrology Department, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Maria Heloisa Shimizu & Antonio Carlos Seguro

  3. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Chichester, Chichester, UK

    Roger Charles Harris

  4. Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil

    Bruno Gualano

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  1. Bruno Gualano
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  2. Carlos Ugrinowitsch
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  3. Rafael Batista Novaes
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  4. Guilherme Gianini Artioli
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  6. Antonio Carlos Seguro
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  7. Roger Charles Harris
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  8. Antonio Herbert Lancha Jr
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Correspondence to Bruno Gualano.

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Gualano, B., Ugrinowitsch, C., Novaes, R.B. et al. Effects of creatine supplementation on renal function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur J Appl Physiol 103, 33–40 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0669-3

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