Creatine synthesis and BHMT

This study investigated the:

- rate of creatine accretion by the neonatal piglet
- sources of this creatine
- activities of the enzymes of creatine synthesis
- burden that endogenous creatine synthesis places on the metabolism of the 3 amino acids required for this synthesis: glycine, arginine, and methionine.

They found that:

- piglets acquire 12.5 mmol of total creatine (creatine plus creatine phosphate) between 4 and 11 d of age
- 1/4 of creatine accretion in neonatal piglets may be provided by sow milk and 3/4 by de novo synthesis by piglets
- several enzyme activities related to creatine synthesis increased, including betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase in the liver.

They concluded that creatine synthesis is a quantitatively major metabolic process in piglets.

Brosnan et al (2009). "Creatine synthesis is a major metabolic process in neonatal piglets and has important implications for amino acid metabolism and methyl balance." J Nutr 139(7): 1292-7.