Effect of Creatine Supplementation on the Muscular Inflammation and Muscle Atrophy in High-Fat High-Fructose Fed Obese Growing Rats

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate effects of creatine supplementation on high-fat high-fructose fed obese rats. Twenty-four six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=8 each): control sedentary group (CD), high-fat high-fructose diet group (HD), and creatine-supplemented high-fat high-fructose diet group (CHD). Methodology: The CD group was supplemented with AIN-76G diet, and a high-fat high-fructose diet for HD and CHD groups was substituted with 5% corn oil fat to 35% lard. The CHD group was supplemented with 2% creatine. The total soleus muscle protein was extracted and prepared according to the procedure mentioned by Baghirova et al. for muscle cytokine assay and western blotting. Result: After eight weeks of the experimental period, weights of the soleus muscle in the HD and CHD groups were significantly lower than that in the CD group. In addition, levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the HD groups were significantly higher than those in the CD group. In contrast, IL-1β, IL-6 concentrations in the CHD group were significantly lower than those in the HD group and irisin levels of HD and CHD group were significantly lower than those in the CD group. Moreover, levels of muscle protein degradation factors [Muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1] were significantly higher in the HD and CHD groups than those in the CD group. Conclusion: From these results, it was concluded that creatine supplementation attenuates the inflammation of skeletal muscle via pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, it has no significant role in preventing muscular atrophy in high-fat high-fructose fed obese rats.