Creatine supplementation in exercised rats reduces the action of reactive oxygen species

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of creatine supplementation on the biomarkers of oxidative stress in the red blood cells from trained rats. Forty adults male Wistar rats (90 days old) were distributed into four groups during eight weeks: Control group (C) - rats feed balanced diet; Creatine control group (CCr) - rats that received 2% creatine supplementation through a balanced diet; Trained group (T) – rats that trained at an intensity equivalent to the maximal lactate steady state and Trained-supplemented group (TCr) - rats that trained at the same intensity and supplemented with 2% creatine through a balanced diet. The concentration of creatine and H2O2 such as theactivity of SOD, GSH-GPx, CAT, GSH and GSSG in red blood cells were evaluated. Creatine concentration increased in CCr and TCr than in other groups and H2O2 decreased in the CCr and TCr groups compared with the other two groups. SOD decreased in the TCr group opposed to C and CCrgrups. CAT increased in TCr group compared against C and T groups. GSH improved in TCr when compared with CCr group. These results confirm the hypothesis that creatine acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing the H2O2 concentrations.