Acute creatine loading enhances human growth hormone secretion

Background. The main objective of this study was to explore the effect of a cute creatine (Cr) ingestion on the secretion of human growth hormone (GH). Methods. In a comparative cross-sectional study, 6 healthy male subjects in gested in resting conditions a single dose of 20 g creatine (Cr-test) vs a control (c-test), During 6 hours the Cr, creatinine and CH concentrations i n blood serum were measured after Cr ingestion (Cr-test). Results. During the Cr-test, all subjects showed a significant stimulation of GH (p<0.05), but with a large interindividual variability in the GH resp onse: the difference between Cr-test and c-test averaged 83% (SD 45%). For the majority of subjects the maximum GH concentration occurred between 2 hr s and 6 hrs after the acute Cr ingestion. Conclusions. In resting conditions and at high dosages Cr enhances GR secre tion, mimicking the response of strong exercise which also stimulates GH se cretion. Acute body weight gain and strength increase observed after Cr sup plementation should consider the indirect anabolic property of Cr.