"Creatine monohydrate is a widely used supplement for enhancing athletic performance. While generally considered safe, concerns have been raised about its potential to promote carcinogenic compounds. This study investigated its cyto- and genotoxic effects on human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cells.
Cytotoxicity, assessed using the Trypan Blue assay, showed >98% cell viability, indicating no toxic effects. Genotoxicity was evaluated using γH2AX immunofluorescence to detect DNA double-strand breaks. No DNA damage was observed at concentrations of 1–10 mM.
Interestingly, γH2AX staining decreased with increasing creatine concentrations, suggesting a potential genoprotective effect. At 7 mM, cells showed particularly low levels of DNA damage. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and identify optimal protective concentrations."
