Recent findings have indicated that creatine supplementation may affect glucose metabolism. This study aimed to examine the
effects of creatine supplementation, combined with aerobic training, on glucose tolerance in sedentary healthy male. Subjects
(
n = 22) were randomly divided in two groups and were allocated to receive treatment with either creatine (CT) (∼10 g · day
over three months) or placebo (PT) (dextrose). Administration of treatments was double blind. Both groups underwent moderate
aerobic training. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and both fasting plasma insulin and the
homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)
index were assessed at the start, and after four, eight and twelve weeks. CT demonstrated significant decrease in OGTT area under
the curve compared to PT (
P = 0.034). There were no differences between groups or over time in fasting insulin or HOMA. The results suggest that creatine
supplementation, combined with aerobic training, can improve glucose tolerance but does not affect insulin sensitivity, and
may warrant further investigation with diabetic subjects.
Keywords: Creatine – Glucose tolerance – Insulin sensitivity – Aerobic training
Authors’ address: Antonio Herbert Lancha Junior, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 65, Butantã 05508-900, São Paulo, SP Brazil