24-hour dynamics for serum biomarkers of creatine metabolism after an acute session of exhaustive resistance exercise in active men

Abstract

Introduction: Exhaustive exercise adversely affects biomarkers of creatine metabolism yet it remains unknown when the values back toward pre-disturbance conditions. Here, we evaluated a 24-hour post-exercise response in serum guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), creatine and creatinine in young active men subjected to a single session of exhaustive resistance exercise and matched it with exercise-induced changes in serum cortisol, interleukin 6 (IL-6), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Summary of facts and results: Twelve healthy active men (age 22.7 ± 0.8 years; weight 79.8 ± 7.3 kg; height 182.4 ± 4.9 cm; weekly exercise 5.1 ± 1.6 hours) were subjected to a single session of bench press exercise until volitional exhaustion, with venous blood sampled before, immediately after exercise (∼ 2 min), and after 15 min, 60 min and 24 h after the end of exercise. Baseline values for serum GAA, creatine and creatinine were 2.2 ± 0.5 μmol/L, 18.9 ± 3.6 μmol/L, and 72.4 ± 6.0 μmol/L, respectively. Serum GAA significantly dropped for 9.6 ± 7.3% immediately after bench press exercise (95% CI, 5.0 to 14.2; P < 0.001), while both creatine and creatinine increased immediately after the test for 5.0 ± 2.5% (95% CI, 3.4 to 6.6; P < 0.001) and 11.9 ± 4.3% (95% CI, 9.2 to 14.6; P < 0.001), respectively. GAA and creatine levels recovered to the baseline values after 24 hours post-exercise, yet creatinine remained significantly higher at 24-hour period as compared to the baseline values for 2.5 ± 2.3% (95% CI, 1.0 to 4.0; P = 0.002). In addition, no significant correlations were found between serum cortisol, IL-6, CK and LDH and creatine metabolites (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A single session of exhaustive resistance exercise induces transient alterations in biomarkers of creatine metabolism, with serum creatinine outlined as a most persistent marker of exhaustion. Exercise-induced changes in creatine metabolism poorly corresponded to perturbations in inflammation and muscle fatigue biomarkers following exercise. © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.