madman
Super Moderator
Novel renal biomarkers show that creatine supplementation is safe: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of creatine supplementation (CS) on renal function in young, healthy, and active subjects. We used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial as the study design. Thirty-six healthy male university students were recruited and divided into three groups: group placebo, group G3 (3 g/day of CS), and group G5 (5 g/day of CS). To assess renal function, new kidney biomarkers, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantified. Serum albumin, serum creatinine, serum urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and albuminuria were also measured. All groups were evaluated at two times: prior CS or placebo (pre) and after 35 days on CS or placebo (post). After 35 days of intervention, all characteristics were maintained without significant difference (P > 0.05) between the groups, including serum creatinine, eGFR, and more sensitive kidney biomarker concentrations (KIM-1 and MCP-1). The paired analysis showed that the supplemented groups (G3 and 5G) had increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels (P < 0.05). However, the values were still within the normal reference range. In conclusion, the results of renal function evaluation did not show any difference between the evaluated groups. Increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels in CS groups can be explained by increased creatine stores and metabolism since creatinine is a by-product of creatine metabolism. These findings indicate that the use of CS at doses of 3 g and 5 g/day for a short period (35 days) is safe and did not impair the kidneys or renal function in young healthy subjects.
Conclusion
The results of the present study indicate that the use of CS at dose of 3 g and 5 g/day for a short period (35 days) did not impair renal function or kidney health. The renal parameters in supplemented groups did not show any differences when compared with the placebo group. Even novel and sensitive renal decline biomarkers (KIM- and MCP-1) did not show any evidence of kidney injury or renal function decline.
Our data also shows that supplemented groups had increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels. However, the values are still within the normal reference range. Therefore, in the absence of renal function loss or kidney injury indicators, these findings could be explained by increased creatine intake through supplementation. Thus, it is possible to conclude that CS for a short time and with doses between 3 g and 5 g/day seems to be safe for healthy and active young male subjects.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of creatine supplementation (CS) on renal function in young, healthy, and active subjects. We used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial as the study design. Thirty-six healthy male university students were recruited and divided into three groups: group placebo, group G3 (3 g/day of CS), and group G5 (5 g/day of CS). To assess renal function, new kidney biomarkers, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), were quantified. Serum albumin, serum creatinine, serum urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, and albuminuria were also measured. All groups were evaluated at two times: prior CS or placebo (pre) and after 35 days on CS or placebo (post). After 35 days of intervention, all characteristics were maintained without significant difference (P > 0.05) between the groups, including serum creatinine, eGFR, and more sensitive kidney biomarker concentrations (KIM-1 and MCP-1). The paired analysis showed that the supplemented groups (G3 and 5G) had increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels (P < 0.05). However, the values were still within the normal reference range. In conclusion, the results of renal function evaluation did not show any difference between the evaluated groups. Increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels in CS groups can be explained by increased creatine stores and metabolism since creatinine is a by-product of creatine metabolism. These findings indicate that the use of CS at doses of 3 g and 5 g/day for a short period (35 days) is safe and did not impair the kidneys or renal function in young healthy subjects.
Conclusion
The results of the present study indicate that the use of CS at dose of 3 g and 5 g/day for a short period (35 days) did not impair renal function or kidney health. The renal parameters in supplemented groups did not show any differences when compared with the placebo group. Even novel and sensitive renal decline biomarkers (KIM- and MCP-1) did not show any evidence of kidney injury or renal function decline.
Our data also shows that supplemented groups had increased serum creatinine and decreased eGFR levels. However, the values are still within the normal reference range. Therefore, in the absence of renal function loss or kidney injury indicators, these findings could be explained by increased creatine intake through supplementation. Thus, it is possible to conclude that CS for a short time and with doses between 3 g and 5 g/day seems to be safe for healthy and active young male subjects.
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