Influence of creatine supplementation on bone quality in the ovariectomized rat model: an FT-Raman spectroscopy study

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 487 - 495
• Main Authors: de Souza, Renato Aparecido, Xavier, Murilo, da Silva, Fabiano Fernandes, de Souza, Marco Túlio, Tosato, Maira Gaspar, Martin, Airton Abrahão, de Melo Castilho, Julio Cezar, Ribeiro, Wellington, Silveira, Landulfo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer-Verlag 01.03.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - pathology; Bone Density - drug effects; Bones; Creatine - pharmacology; Creatine - therapeutic use; Dentistry; Dietary Supplements; Female; Lasers; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - drug therapy; Osteoporosis - pathology; Ovariectomy; Photonics; Placebos; Quantum Optics; Radiography; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Spectrum analysis; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Osteoporosis; Trabecular bone; Optical spectroscopy; Nutritional supplement; Cortical bone
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-011-0976-0

The influence of creatine (Cr) supplementation on cortical and trabecular bone from ovariectomized rats was studied using FT-Raman spectroscopy. The intensity of organic-phase Raman bands was compared to mineral phase ones. Twenty-one female Wistar rats aged 3 months were divided into three groups ( n  = 7 per group): ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized treated with creatine (CRE) and sham-operated (SHAM) groups. Creatine supplementation (300 mg kg −1  day −1 ) was provided for 8 weeks, starting 12 weeks after ovariectomy. FT-Raman spectroscopy was performed on the right medial femoral mid-shaft (cortical bone) and third lumbar vertebral body (trabecular bone). The integrated intensities of mineral phase (phosphate and carbonate bands at 959 and 1,071 cm −1 , respectively) and organic phase (amide I band at 1,665 cm −1 ) Raman bands were analyzed. The mineral-to-matrix (phosphate/amide I), carbonate-to-phosphate, and carbonate-to-amide I ratios were analyzed to assess bone quality. The phosphate content on trabecular bone was higher in the CRE group than the OVX group ( p  < 0.05). No significant changes in mineral or organic phases on cortical bone were observed. A radiographic assessment of bone density was encouraging as the same findings were showed by Raman intensity of phosphate from cortical ( r 2  = 0.8037) and trabecular bones ( r 2  = 0.915). Severe ovariectomy-induced bone loss was confirmed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The results suggest that the chemical composition of trabecular bone tissue may be positively influenced by Cr supplementation after ovariectomy.