The effect of acute creatine supplementation on non-invasive assessment of vascular function using flow-mediated dilation

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species within the vasculature has been shown to contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction, an early biomarker of cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants and supplements with antioxidative properties, could be increasingly important in reversing the progression of cardiovascular disease. While creatine monohydrate is commonly used as a fitness supplement to promote increases in muscular strength, recent studies have shown that creatine may act as an antioxidant, thereby improving vascular health. Traditional loading doses of creatine require 7-10 days of 20 g (4 x 5 g/day). However, it may be possible to see the vascular health benefits with a smaller, more cost-effective dose. To test this, flow-mediated dilation was performed before and after a one day, twenty-gram dose of creatine monohydrate. Flow-mediated dilation is a method of testing endothelial function, a key component of cardiovascular health, by occluding blood flow using a blood pressure cuff for 5 minutes and measuring the dilation of the brachial artery following the reperfusion of blood. We believe that a one-day, 20 g creatine supplement may be enough to see an improvement in endothelial function as assessed by flow-mediated dilation.