Maternal creatine supplementation from mid-pregnancy protects the diaphragm of the newborn spiny mouse from intrapartum hypoxia-induced damage.

Abstract

We hypothesized that maternal creatine supplementation from mid-pregnancy would protect the diaphragm of the newborn spiny mouse from the effects of intrapartum hypoxia. Pregnant mice were fed a control or 5% creatine-supplemented diet from mid-gestation. On the day before term, intrapartum hypoxia was induced by isolating the pregnant uterus in a saline bath for 7.5-8 min before releasing and resuscitating the fetuses. Surviving pups were placed with a cross-foster dam, and diaphragm tissue was collected at 24 h postnatal age. Hypoxia caused a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area (∼19%) and contractile function (26.6% decrease in maximum Ca2=-activated force) of diaphragm fibers. The mRNA levels of the muscle mass-regulating genes MuRF1 and myostatin were significantly increased (2-fold). Maternal creatine significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced fiber atrophy, contractile dysfunction, and changes in mRNA levels. This study demonstrates that creatine loading before birth significantly protects the diaphragm from hypoxia-induced damage at birth.

• Authors: David J Cannata, Zoe Ireland, Hayley Dickinson, Rod J Snow, Aaron P Russell, Jan M West, David W Walker
• Journal: Pediatric research (Pediatr Res) Vol. 68 Issue 5 Pg. 393-8 (Nov 2010) ISSN: 1530-0447 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20639795 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Creatine

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Newborn
• Creatine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Diaphragm (cytology, drug effects, pathology)
• Diet
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Fetal Hypoxia (pathology, physiopathology)
• Fetus (anatomy & histology, drug effects, pathology)
• Gestational Age
• Mice
• Muscle Contraction (drug effects, physiology)
• Muscle, Skeletal (cytology, drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Pregnancy