Exercise, but not creatine, reduces muscle fat and improves insulin sensitivity in rats

Creatine supplementation in rats on a sucrose-rich diet may inhibit intramyocellular lipid accumulation and improve insulin sensitivity.

• Whole-body glucose tolerance was reduced in rats fed a cafeteria diet and receiving creatine supplementation compared to those with exercise training.
• Insulin-stimulated glucose transport was impaired in rats on the cafeteria diet without exercise training.
• Intramyocellular lipid content was higher in cafeteria diet rats compared to those on a normal diet, but not in those that also underwent exercise training or received creatine.
• FAT/CD36 protein content was approximately 40% lower in rats receiving creatine with the cafeteria diet compared to control and cafeteria diet-only groups.
• Fecal fat content was 25% higher in creatine-supplemented rats than in control rats, indicating altered lipid absorption.

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