Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(12): 906-912
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1267160
Immunology

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Creatine Activates Airway Epithelium in Asthma

S. C. Ferreira1 , A. C. Toledo2 , M. Hage1 , A. B. G. Santos1 , M. C. R. Medeiros1 , M. A. Martins2 , C. R. F. Carvalho3 , M. Dolhnikoff4 , R. P. Vieira5
  • 1University of Sao Paulo, Pathology (LIM 05), Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 2University of Sao Paulo, Clinical Medicine (LIM 20), Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 3University of São Paulo, Physical Therapy, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 4School of Medicine, Sao Paulo University, Pathology, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 5Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Pneumology, Freiburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision August 26, 2010

Publication Date:
11 November 2010 (online)

Abstract

Airway epithelium plays important roles in the pathophysiology of asthma. Creatine supplementation (Cr) was shown to increase asthma features in a murine model of allergic asthma; however, the role of the airway epithelium in this inflammatory response is not known. BALB/c mice were divided into control, creatine supplementation, ovalbumin-sensitized (OVA) and OVA plus creatine supplementation groups. OVA sensitization occurred on days 0, 14, 28 and 42, and ovalbumin challenge from days 21–53. Cr was also given on days 21–53. Total and differential cells counts in BALF were evaluated. Quantitative epithelial expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCL11, CCL5, CCL2, iNOS, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, NF-κB, VEGF, TGF-β, IGF-1, EGFR, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-12 and arginase II were performed. Cr increased the number of total cells and eosinophils in BALF, the epithelial content of goblet cells and the epithelial expression of IL-5, CCL2, iNOS, ICAM-1, NF-κB, TGF-β, TIMP-1 and MMP-9 when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Creatine supplementation also exacerbated goblet cell proliferation, and IL-5 and iNOS expression by epithelial cells compared to the OVA group (p<0.01). Creatine up-regulates the pro-inflammatory cascade and remodelling process in this asthma model by modulating the expression of inflammatory mediators by epithelial cells.

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Correspondence

Dr. Rodolfo Paula Vieira

Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Pneumology

Breisacher Straße 5

79106 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: +49/761/270 6363

Fax: +49/761/270 6363

Email: rodrelena@yahoo.com.br