EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON RENAL RESPONSES IN MEN

There is an increasing utilisation of oral creatine (Cr) supplementati on among athletes who hope to enhance their performance but it is not known if this ingestion has any detrimental effect on the kidney. Five healthy men ingested either a placebo or 20 g of creatine monohydrate per day for 5 consecutive days. Blood samples and urine collections w ere analysed for Cr and creatinine (Crn) determination after each expe rimental session. Total protein and albumin urine excretion rates were also determined. Oral Cr supplementation had a significant incrementa l impact on arterial content (3.7 fold) and urine excretion rate (90 f old) of this compound. In contrast, arterial and urine Crn values were not affected by the Cr ingestion. The glomerular filtration rate (Crn clearance) and the total protein and albumin excretion rates remained within the normal range. In conclusion, this investigation showed tha t short-term oral Cr supplementation does not appear to have any detri mental effect on the renal responses of healthy men.