Effect of Concurrent Creatine Monohydrate Ingestion and Resistance Training on Hepatic Enzymes Activity Levels in Non-Athlete Males

The use of creatine (Cr) as a nutritional supplement to aid athletic performance has gained widespread popularity among athletes. However, concerns have recently been expressed over the potentially harmful effects of short and long term Cr supplementation on health. Therefore this study was conducted to determine effect of creatine monohydrate (CrM) ingestion and resistance training on serum Alanin Aminotransferase (ALT) & Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) changes in non-athlete males. Twenty non-athlete males (age 22.25±2.02yr, weight 71.55±4.72Kg and height 171.92±5.98 Cm) were selected and studied in two groups, the training-creatine (TC): n=10, and the training-placebo (TP): n=10, in a double-blind trial. Both groups participated in resistance training and completed two months of weight training (75% one repeat maximum). The TC group consumed a 250 ml CrM solution supplement (0.07 g/kg/day, creatine) during the training protocol, while the control group just placebos (0.07 g/kg/day, wheat flour). Venous blood samples were obtained before and 48h after the last session and serum ALT and AST activities were measured using the auto-analyzer system. Data was statistically analyzed by dependent and independed t-test, with a 0.05 significance level. There were no significant differences in serum ALT and AST activity between the TC (ALT, P≤0.102 AST, P≤0.086) and TP groups (ALT, P≤0.265 AST, P≤0.009). Nor were any significant differences observed in mean and changes range for ALT and AST activities between the TC and TP groups. The results suggest that two months resistance training and CrM ingestion had no adverse effects on hepatic cellular damage indices. However, more research is needed to identify the side effects of acute and chronic CrM ingestion and resistance training.