Does creatine supplementation improve the plasma lipid profile in healthy male subjects undergoing aerobic training?

Subjects (n = 22) were randomly divided into two groups and were allocated to receive treatment with either creatine monohydrate (CR) (~20 g·day-1 for one week followed by ~10 g·day-1 for a further eleven weeks) or placebo (PL) (dextrose) in a double blind fashion. All subjects undertook moderate intensity aerobic training during three 40-minute sessions per week, over 3 months. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), fasting insulin and fasting glycemia were analyzed in plasma. Thereafter, the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was calculated. Tests were performed at baseline (Pre) and after four (Post 4), eight (Post 8) and twelve (Post 12) weeks.We observed main time effects in both groups for HDL (Post 4 versus Post 8; P = 0.01), TAG and VLDL (Pre versus Post 4 and Post 8; P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). However, no between group differences were noted in HDL, LDL, CT, VLDL and TAG. Additionally, fasting insulin, fasting glycemia and HOMA did not change significantly.These findings suggest that Cr supplementation does not exert any additional effect on the improvement in the plasma lipid profile than aerobic training alone.Several recent studies have indicated that creatine (Cr) supplementation may reduce the symptoms and progression of certain diseases, including mitochondrial cytopathies [1], neurodegenerative diseases [2] and glucose intolerance [3]. In addition there is evidence that Cr supplementation may also improve the lipid profile when combined with exercise training. Kreider et al. [4] reported higher plasma HDL-cholesterol levels and lower VLDL-cholesterol in Cr-supplemented athletes undergoing resistance and agility-sprint training compared to their non-supplemented counterparts, while Arciero et al. [5] reported lowered plasma total cholesterol concentrations after 28 days of Cr supplementation combined