Do you agree with the researchers? In which situation, higher or lower blood [creatine], will there likely be increased import of creatine into cells?
Hypoxia, or low oxygen conditions, provokes several changes in cells. For instance, in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (or cardiac muscle cells from newborn rats), creatine supplementation seems to minimize the impacts of hypoxia for several reasons, including promoting hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) activity and AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) activity. In humans, creatine ingested in the diet is bioavailable and can in some circumstances increase the levels of creatine in muscles. Creatine is transported into cells by a creatine transporter (CrT) which is thought to be a sodium dependent secondary active transporter. For this reason, creatine is often part of energy drinks and other supplements used by athletes and especially body builders.
Interestingly, creatine transporter activity changes relative to the amount of creatine in the bloodstream. As creatine levels increase in the bloodstream, the CrT Vmax decreases; as creatine levels decrease in the bloodstream, the CrT Vmax increases. There are no changes in the CrT Kt for creatine as the amount of blood [creatine] changes. Researchers suggest that the changes in blood [creatine] change the availability of CrT in the plasma membrane. Do you agree with the researchers? In which situation, higher or lower blood [creatine], will there likely be increased import of creatine into cells?
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
