Creatine supplementation in exercised rats: Effects on the aerobic capacity

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the possible metabolic disturbances caused by creatine supplementation on aerobic capacity of rats, inferred by the maximal lactate steady state. Forty male Wistar rats (90 days old) were distributed into two groups for eight weeks: trained group (T): rats that were submitted to a training protocol, and supplemented-trained group (TCr): rats that were submitted to a training protocol and received balanced diet supplemented with 2% creatine. The blood lactate concentrations equivalent to maximal lactate steady state during treadmill running were analyzed at the beginning and also at the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment were done comparing the test results MLSS between the two groups. At the beginning of the experiment, prior to groups division, the majority of animals obtained MLSS at a speed of26 m/min, blood lactate concentration of 3.79 ± 0.76 mmol/L. At the end of the experiment, most of trained rats in T presented MLSS at the speed of28 m/min, blood lactate concentration of 3.37 ± 0.68 mmol/L. Most TCr had MLSS at the speed of28 m/min, blood lactate concentration of 3.52 ± 0.69 mmol/L. We conclude that creatine supplementation was not the cause of the improvement in the aerobic capacity of rats in the tread-mill exercise.