Improved reperfusion and neuroprotection by creatine in a mouse model of stroke

Konstantin Prass, Georg Royl, Ute Lindauer, Dorette Freyer, Dirk Megow, Ulrich Dirnagl, Gerda Stöckler-Ipsiroglu, Theo Wallimann, Josef Priller*

*Corresponding author for this work
    71 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Stroke leads to energy failure and subsequent neuronal cell loss. Creatine and phosphocreatine constitute a cellular energy buffering and transport system, and dietary creatine supplementation was shown to protect neurons in several models of neurodegeneration. Although creatine has recently been found to reduce infarct size after cerebral ischemia in mice, the mechanisms of neuroprotection remained unclear. We provide evidence for augmented cerebral blood flow (CBF) after stroke in creatine-treated mice using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based technique of CBF measurement (flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery-MRI). Moreover, improved vasodilatory responses were detected in isolated middle cerebral arteries obtained from creatine-treated animals. After 3 weeks of dietary creatine supplementation, minor changes in brain creatine, phosphocreatine, adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate levels were detected, which did not reach statistical significance. However, we found a 40% reduction in infarct volume after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Our data suggest that creatine-mediated neuroprotection can occur independent of changes in the bioenergetic status of brain tissue, but may involve improved cerebrovascular function.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
    Volume27
    Issue number3
    Pages (from-to)452-459
    Number of pages8
    ISSN0271-678X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14.03.2007

    Research Areas and Centers

    • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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