Effect of creatine supplementation on kidney function: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Naeini EK, Eskandari M, Mortazavi M, Gholaminejad A, Karevan N
BMC nephrology · 4 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2025-11-06 · BMC Nephrol · vol. 26 · issue 1 · p. 622
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 16 citations · more than 94% of similar papers · 3.1× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 32 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Muscle metabolism and nutrition · Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes · Chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity mitigation
- Keywords
- Nephrology, Kidney, Creatine, Kidney disease, MEDLINE, Creatinine
- MeSH
- kidney, humans, creatine, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, dietary supplements
5 authors
From IR
- Elham Kabiri NaeiniIsfahan University of Medical Sciences
- Milad Eskandari · correspondingIsfahan University of Medical Sciences
- Mojgan MortazaviIsfahan University of Medical Sciences
- Alieh GholaminejadIsfahan University of Medical Sciences
- Negar KarevanIsfahan University of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background
Creatine monohydrate is a widely used dietary supplement with proven benefits in athletic performance and potential therapeutic applications in clinical populations. However, concerns regarding its impact on renal function persist, largely due to elevated serum creatinine levels associated with creatine intake.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2000 and March 2025. Primary outcomes were serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model, with subgroup analysis by supplementation duration.
Results
Twenty-one studies were included in the systematic review, and 12 studies (177 participants in the creatine group and 263 in control) were eligible for meta-analysis of serum creatinine levels. Creatine supplementation was associated with a small but statistically significant increase in serum creatinine (MD: 0.07 µmol/L; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.12; p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis of the creatinine outcome based on follow-up duration revealed that the intervention effect was significant in studies with a follow-up of ≤ 1 week (MD = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.21). However, no significant effect was observed in studies with a follow-up of 1 to 12 weeks (MD = 0.04; 95% CI: - 0.09 to 0.17). The effect became significant again in studies with a follow-up of more than 12 weeks. The meta-analysis revealed a non-statistically significant differences in GFR following creatine supplementation compared to control.
Conclusion
Creatine supplementation is associated with a modest, transient increase in serum creatinine levels, likely due to metabolic turnover rather than renal impairment. No significant changes were observed in GFR, suggesting preserved kidney function.
Clinical trial number
Not applicable.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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