Creatine monohydrate enhances strength and body composition in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Four months of CrM supplementation led to increases in FFM and handgrip strength in the dominant hand and a reduction in a marker of bone breakdown and was well tolerated in children with DD.

Nutritional therapy improves function and complements corticosteroid intervention in mdx mice

“…Consequently, the magnitude of benefit observed from therapies in the mdx model 36,37 might not readily translate to boys with DMD. It is important to note that CrM, which was not robustly beneficial in the current study, has already demonstrated efficacy in boys with DMD when given well after the onset of weakness, 47,52 as well as in mdx mice aged 100 -110 days. 26 Overall, the proposed combination therapy in this study, particularly when used in combination with corticosteroid therapy, appeared to show evidence of potential therapeutic efficacy.…”

“…46 Several studies have demonstrated the benefit from creatine monohydrate supplementation in mdx mice 15,26,36 and in patients with DMD. 25,47,52 Although increasing muscle creatine levels may be the mechanism behind a therapeutic effect, some studies have not measured muscle phosphocreatine and total creatine levels. 15,26,36 Among those that have, 26,36 only one study found significant uptake into mdx skeletal muscle (extensor digitorum longus muscle).…”

“…The safety of each of the four compounds used in this study has been previously assessed in humans. 1,5,12,13,29,32,38,47,49 Consequently, we did not make extensive measurements of safety. However, we did monitor animal body weight, body condition, and eating behavior daily throughout the intervention, and organs were inspected by a pathologist for gross morphological abnormalities at the time of sacrifice.…”

“…25,47,52 It enhances survival and reduces intracellular calcium accumulation in cultured mdx myoblasts and in primary cell cultures from patients with DMD. 37 CrM-supplemented mdx mice demonstrated reduced necrosis in type II muscle fibers and an enhanced skeletal muscle oxidative capacity.…”

“…36 CrM supplementation also increases measures of strength and reduce a marker of bone breakdown in boys with DMD. 25,47 Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) represents a number of different isomers of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid containing conjugated double bonds. It produces several potentially beneficial biological effects that are isomer and dose dependent.…”