Increasing evidence that creatine may have a regulatory impact on the immune system

[Emily]

http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2017/05001/The_Effect_of_Creatine_Supplementation_on_Upper.3013.aspx

The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Upper Body Strength and Immune Function in Men: 3603 Board #50 June 3 9: 30 AM - 11: 00 AM

Eckerson, Joan M. FACSM¹; Riesberg, Lisa A.¹; Serreyn, Kyle¹; Yee, Jennifer¹; Moore, Geri A.¹; Katsavelis, Dimitrios¹; Bredahl, Eric¹; Drescher, Kristen¹; Fukuda, David²; Kurata, Laura¹; Moon, Brittany¹
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2017 - Volume 49 - Issue 5S - p 1027
doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000519818.85050.02
G-28 Free Communication/Poster - Immunology II Saturday, June 3, 2017, 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM Room: Hall F

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Article Outline
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine (CR) loading on upper body strength and immune system function in men.
... CONCLUSIONS: The changes in BW and serum creatinine observed in the CR group following a 5 d loading phase are consistent with previous research. However, this is one of the first studies using human subjects to show that CR significantly reduced TNF-α mRNA expression, which suggests that it may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Future studies are warranted to further define CR as an immunomodulator and should focus on determining the expression of other pro-inflammatory mediators and markers.
Acknowledgements: Supported by LB692 and MusclePharm? (CR supplement).
? 2017 American College of Sports Medicine

[Emily]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26778152

Int Immunopharmacol. 2016 Aug;37:31-42. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.12.034. Epub 2016 Jan 8.
Beyond muscles: The untapped potential of creatine.

Riesberg LA¹, Weed SA¹, McDonald TL², Eckerson JM³, Drescher KM⁴.
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Abstract

Creatine is widely used by both elite and recreational athletes as an ergogenic aid to enhance anaerobic exercise performance. Older individuals also use creatine to prevent sarcopenia and, accordingly, may have therapeutic benefits for muscle wasting diseases. Although the effect of creatine on the musculoskeletal system has been extensively studied, less attention has been paid to its potential effects on other physiological systems. Because there is a significant pool of creatine in the brain, the utility of creatine supplementation has been examined in vitro as well as in vivo in both animal models of neurological disorders and in humans. While the data are preliminary, there is evidence to suggest that individuals with certain neurological conditions may benefit from exogenous creatine supplementation if treatment protocols can be optimized. A small number of studies that have examined the impact of creatine on the immune system have shown an alteration in soluble mediator production and the expression of molecules involved in recognizing infections, specifically toll-like receptors. Future investigations evaluating the total impact of creatine supplementation are required to better understand the benefits and risks of creatine use, particularly since there is increasing evidence that creatine may have a regulatory impact on the immune system.
Copyright ? 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


KEYWORDS:

Creatine; Immune response; Immunomodulation; Neuroprotection