Abstract
We hypothesized that maternal creatine supplementation from mid-pregnancy would protect the diaphragm of the newborn spiny mouse from the effects of intrapartum hypoxia. Pregnant mice were fed a control or 5% creatine-supplemented diet from mid-gestation. On the day before term, intrapartum hypoxia was induced by isolating the pregnant uterus in a saline bath for 7.5–8 min before releasing and resuscitating the fetuses. Surviving pups were placed with a cross-foster dam, and diaphragm tissue was collected at 24 h postnatal age. Hypoxia caused a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area (∼19%) and contractile function (26.6% decrease in maximum Ca2+-activated force) of diaphragm fibers. The mRNA levels of the muscle mass-regulating genes MuRF1 and myostatin were significantly increased (2-fold). Maternal creatine significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced fiber atrophy, contractile dysfunction, and changes in mRNA levels. This study demonstrates that creatine loading before birth significantly protects the diaphragm from hypoxia-induced damage at birth.
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Abbreviations
- CSA:
-
Cross-sectional area
- PCr:
-
phosphocreatine
- TCr:
-
total creatine
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Supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia [to R.J.S. and D.W.W.]. A.P.R. is supported by an NHMRC Biomedical Career Development Award (479536). D.J.C. was supported by a graduate scholarship from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University.
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Cannata, D., Ireland, Z., Dickinson, H. et al. Maternal Creatine Supplementation From Mid-Pregnancy Protects the Diaphragm of the Newborn Spiny Mouse From Intrapartum Hypoxia-Induced Damage. Pediatr Res 68, 393–398 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181f1c048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/PDR.0b013e3181f1c048
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