Exercise reduces effects of creatine on lung

Abstract

We recently demonstrated that creatine supplementation increased some features of lung allergic sensitization in mice. On the other hand, other studies have shown that aerobic exercise inhibited allergic airway inflammation and remodeling. We hypothesized that aerobic exercise may decrease the exacerbatory effects of the creatine supplementation in a murine model of asthma. Balb/c mice were divided into six groups: Control, Creatine (Cr), Low Intensity Exercise+Creatine (Low+Cr), Ovalbumin (OVA), Ovalbumin+Creatine (OVA+Cr) and Ovalbumin+Creatine+Low Intensity Exercise (OVA+Cr+Low). OVA-sensitized groups were sensitized with OVA intraperitoneal injections (days 0, 14, 28, and 42). Aerosol challenge (OVA 1%) and Cr treatment (0.5 g/kg/day) were initiated on Day 21 until Day 53. Low intensity exercise began on day 22 and was sustained until day 50. Low intensity exercise in the presence of creatine supplementation in sensitized mice resulted in a decreased number of eosinophils in BALF (p<0.001) and in the airways (p<0.001), and a decreased density of inflammatory cells positive to IL-4 (p<0.001) and IL-5 (p<0.001), airway collagen (p<0.001) and elastic fibers (p<0.001) content, airway smooth muscle thickness (p<0.001) and bronchoconstriction index (p<0.05) when compared with OVA+Cr group. These results suggest that aerobic exercise reduces the exacerbatory effects of creatine supplementation in chronically sensitized mice.