ABSTRACT
Background
Creatine is a crucial component of cellular energy metabolism, facilitating ATP regeneration to support high energy demands. While its therapeutic potential, particularly in neuroprotection, is well-recognized, its response to stress conditions such as sleep deprivation remains insufficiently investigated. This study examines the effects of sleep deprivation on creatine metabolism in healthy young males.
Methods
Sixteen healthy young male participants (age: 25.3 ± 4.7 years; body mass: 81.6 ± 8.8 kg) were recruited to assess the impact of 24-hour sleep deprivation on biomarkers of creatine metabolism. Primary outcomes included serum levels of creatine, guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), and creatinine, measured at baseline and after 24 hours.
Results
Sleep deprivation significantly increased serum creatine levels, rising from 48.63 ± 27.05 μmol/L at baseline to 63.84 ± 23.83 μmol/L after 24 hours (95% CI: −29.14 to −1.27; P = 0.03), with a moderate to large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.59). Serum GAA levels showed a non-significant increase, from 3.27 ± 0.60 μmol/L to 3.47 ± 0.64 μmol/L (95% CI: −0.58 to 0.16; P = 0.26; Cohen’s d = 0.32). Serum creatinine levels remained unchanged, with no significant difference between baseline (100.57 ± 9.19 μmol/L) and follow-up (106.10 ± 27.90 μmol/L; 95% CI: −21.24 to 10.20; P = 0.46; Cohen’s d = 0.26).
Conclusion
Sleep deprivation alters creatine metabolism biomarkers, indicating shifts in metabolic pathways. Further research is necessary to validate and expand these findings, potentially elucidating the role of creatine in stress-related conditions.
KEYWORDS: Inadequate sleep, creatine, biomarkers, metabolism