Effects of Acute Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness and Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Young Men

There are some important issues relating to the impact of acute creatine monohydrate supplementation on AS in the major elastic arteries and lower leg anterior compartment pressure. This study investigated the effects of acute creatine monohydrate supplementation on arterial stiffness (AS) and skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) in young men. A total of 20 male, physically active participants were randomized in a double-blind fashion to placebo (PL) (n=10, 22.9±3.1 yrs) or creatine (CM) (n=10, 21.3±1.8yrs) groups. Subjects received 0.3 g/kg/day creatine monohydrate or placebo in gelatin capsules for 7 days. Ultrasonography of the carotid artery, applanation tonometry, submaximal exercise tests (10-minute treadmill activity at 3.7 mph and 9% incline), and SmO2measurements were conducted at baseline and on day 7 of the study period. There was a significant time effect (P<0.05) in the CM group on central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) (130±22 mmHg to 112±38 mmHg), central pulse pressure (cPP) (64±21 mmHg to 58±21 mmHg) and arterial compliance (AC) (1.09±0.35 mm2/mmHg x 10-1to 0.86±0.85 mm2/mmHg x 10-1). Using a randomly controlled, doubleblind trial, acute creatine supplementation does appear to impact vascular compliance or oxygen saturation in skeletal muscle in young, healthy males.