Effects of Acute Creatine Supplementation on Cardiac and Vascular Responses in Older Men; a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and aims: In the recent years creatine has been shown promising results in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, myopathies and dystrophies. Cardiovascular diseases could be another pathology that can benefit from creatine supplementation, considering the influence on the risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases including reduction in chronic inflammation, and improved control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of short-term creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular health in older adults. Methods: Males between the ages of 55-80 were randomly assigned to three groups: creatine, placebo and control. Creatine or placebo was provided for 7-day supplementation, at a dose of 20 g/day. Testing was performed at the same time of the day at baseline and on the eighth day. Vascular responses were assessed using an arterial pulse wave velocity equipment, while cardiac assessment was performed using an impedance cardiography device. Results: The placebo group was older (71.1 +/- 8.2 yr) compared to creatine (61.4 +/- 5.2 yr) and control (62.5 +/- 7.1 yr). Cardio-ankle vascular index improved just in the creatine group (8.7 +/- 0.5 to 8.2 +/- 0.5, p = 0.03). While the upstroke time of the placebo and control groups did not change after 7 days, the creatine group had a nonsignificant reduction, 178.9 +/- 26.5 ms to 158.4 +/- 28.6 ms, p = 0.07. Similar tendency was seen with the systolic blood pressures, while the placebo and control did not change, the creatine group showed nonsignificant improvement, especially on the right, 144.0 +/- 12.7 mmHg to 136.1 +/- 13.4 mmHg, p = 0.08. All three groups had similar responses in stroke volume (p = 0.61), contractility index (p = 0.64) and ejection fraction (p = 0.72). Conclusions: In older adults, acute creatine supplementation can positively affect vascular parameters of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis. Creatine supplementation has the potential to serve as a potent adjuvant in the management of CVD for older adults. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov; ID: NCT053294 80. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.