Effect of Creatine Monohydrate on Spatial Working Memory, Body Weight, and Food Intake in Male and Female Rats

TL;DR

This study examines how creatine affects memory, weight, and food intake in male and female rats, finding gender-specific differences but no significant impact from the supplement itself.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into gender-specific effects of creatine on body weight and food intake, independent of cognitive effects.

Findings

Creatine supplementation did not significantly affect spatial working memory in either male or female rats.

Male rats gained more weight than female rats, regardless of creatine supplementation.

Male rats receiving creatine had lower food intake compared to control males, but no such effect was observed in females.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Creatine monohydrate supplementation has gained popularity in the fitness industry due to its ability to enhance athletic performance and has sparked curiosity about other possible effects of the supplement. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine supplementation on spatial working memory, body weight, and food intake in male and female rats. Methods: Experimental rats, six male and six female, were administered creatine while six male and six female rats served as controls. The Morris water maze (MWM) was employed to assess spatial working memory. Body weight and food intake were measured daily. Results: Neither male control nor experimental animals demonstrated positive working memory upon initial exposure (week 1) to the MWM, whereas the initial exposure of female control and experimental animals resulted in positive working memory. By week 2 of the experimental period, all animals in both the control and experimental groups showed significant working memory with no significant differences among the groups. These effects were unrelated to creatine supplementation. Gender-specific differences were found for body weight, with higher weight gain observed in male rats compared to female rats. Weight gain was not directly influenced by creatine supplementation; however, food intake was lower in the experimental male rats receiving the supplement as compared to the control rats. No difference was observed in female rats. Conclusions: Because of the popularity of creatine, further research about the effects of this supplement on different mechanisms in the body influencing cognitive processing and appetitive behavior is warranted.

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