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Creatine Monohydrates Antioxidant Properties Protect Against Oxidative Damage

Creatine Monohydrates Antioxidant Capacity

A recent research study provides further evidence to support creatine monohydrates antioxidant properties (Rahimi 2011). Previous studies have highlighted the antioxidant potential of creatine (Lawler et al., 2002; Royes et al., 2006; Sestili et al., 2011). In this study (Rahimi 2011) 27 resistance trained men were divided into either a creatine monohydrate group (taking 4x5g creatine monohydrate/ day) or a placebo group (taking 4x5g maltodextrin/day). The researchers looked at the effect of an acute resistance exercise protocol on oxidative stress response and oxidative DNA damage and whether creatine monohydrate supplementation (for 7 days) could protect against the oxidative stress.

The resistance exercise protocol consisted of 7 sets of four different exercises, using 60-90% 1RM in the flat pyramid loading pattern and was performed before and after the supplementation period. Oxidative stress was measured by analysing blood and urine samples taken before, immediately after, and 24-hour postexercise. Blood and urine samples were analysed for two key markers of oxidative stress: 1) Malondialdehyde (MDA) - a highly reactive naturally occurring organic compound that is a marker for oxidative stress and indicates lipid peroxidation, and 2) 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) - a widely used biomarker for oxidative stress and carcinogenesis. Before the start of the supplementation period the resistance exercises caused significant increases in urinary 8-OHdG excretion and plasma MDA levels. Creatine monohydrate supplementation was found to attenuate the increase in urinary 8-OHdG excretion and plasma MDA. The researcher concluded that the results indicate that creatine monohydrate supplementation appears to reduce oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by resistance exercises.

In Summary:

In addition to the research proven benefits of creatine monohydrate on sporting performance it also appears to provide protection against the oxidative stress and oxidative damage induced by resistance exercise.

References

Lawler JM, Barnes WS, Wu G, Song W, Demaree S. (2002) Direct antioxidant properties of creatine. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2002;290:47–52.

Rahimi R. (2011) Creatine supplementation decreases oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by a single bout of resistance exercise. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Dec;25(12):3448-55.

Royes LF, Fighera MR, Furian AF, Oliveira MS, Myskiw Jde C, Fiorenza NG, Petry JC, Coelho RC, Mello CF. (2006) Effectiveness of creatine monohydrate on seizures and oxidative damage induced by methylmalonate. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Jan;83(1):136-44. Epub 2006 Feb 15.

Sestili P, Martinelli C, Colombo E, Barbieri E, Potenza L, Sartini S, Fimognari C. (2011) Creatine as an antioxidant. Amino Acids. 2011 May;40(5):1385-96. Epub 2011 Mar 15.