BIO

John DeCaro is a second-year pre-medical student from Tampa, Florida majoring in IMS - Clinical Professions at FSU. As a UROP student, he assisted Ph.D. candidate Paul Baker in FSU's Laboratory of Integrative Vascular and Metabolic Physiology, examining the potentially beneficial effects of the popular athletic supplement creatine on blood flow. After undergrad, John aspires to go to medical school. In his free time, John loves to fish, play the guitar, and spend time with friends!

NOX and Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Impact Microvascular Blood Flow

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is a serious health issue that impairs the functioning of the vasculature and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. One of the key features of endothelial dysfunction is an elevation in oxidative stress, which is worsened by factors like aging and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Oxidative stress occurs with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), for which a major source is NADPH Oxidase (NOX). Creatine monohydrate (CM), a commonly used sports performance supplement, has recently been shown to reduce oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to determine whether five days of creatine monohydrate supplementation can reduce in-vivo ROS concentrations and improve blood flow in sedentary overweight post-menopausal women. The study utilizes a pre-post design, and ROS and blood flow measurements are taken using the novel microdialysis technique both before and after the consumption of a high-sugar or high-fat meal. One microdialysis probe contained a control solution of ethanol and saline while the other probe contained control solution plus 1mm Apocynin (a NOX inhibitor). After consumption of the high carb/fat bolus, there were greater ROS concentrations (H2O2) in the control probe compared to the APO probe. In the APO probe, there was increased blood flow compared to the control. Post creatine supplementation, some participants showed reductions in ROS concentrations and improvements in blood flow, while others demonstrated the opposite effect. Further research is needed to determine the potential benefits and risks of using creatine monohydrate as an intervention for oxidative stress.

Keywords: creatine, blood flow, supplementation, reactive oxygen species, NOX