The effect of creatine (Cr) supplementation on muscle function and body composition of 12 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and three with Becker dystrophy was evaluated by a randomized double-blind cross-over study (3 g Cr or maltodextrin daily for 3 months, with wash-out period of 2 months). After placebo, no change was observed in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and resistance to fatigue, whereas total joint stiffness (TJS) was increased by approximately 25% (P < 0.05). The patients receiving Cr did not show any change in TJS, improved MVC by 15% (P = 0.02), and almost doubled their resistance to fatigue (P < 0.001). In patients still independent of a wheelchair (n = 5), bone mineral density increased by 3% (P < 0.05), and urinary excretion of collagen type I cross-linking N-telopeptide declined to about one third (P < 0.001) after Cr. No adverse effect was observed. Thus, Cr may provide some symptomatic benefit in these patients.

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