Creatine increases the growth of so-called satellite cells.
What are satellite cells?
In 1961 Mauro identified them as stem cells of the skeletal muscles. They are involved in:
• repairing damaged muscle fibers (myofibrils)
• enlargement of muscle fibers
• proliferation of muscle fibers
Satellite cells are virtual precursors of new muscle fibers
Further functions:
• maintaining the cytoplasm = cell liquid.
The cytoplasm is divided into many different compartments or organelles by membranes, enabling different metabolic processes to proceed at limited space. The cytoskeleton serves as scaffold and transport medium.
Creation of nucleotides = energy source of muscles.
Satellite cells are located between sarcomer and M and Z lines. Sarcomer = minimal functional unit of a muscle fibril and therefore the muscle.
New muscle fibers are created here.
Creatine increases the activity of satellite cells. As a result more muscles can be grown, but only in combination with intensive training.
Take a look at our exemplary training program here.
An army of satellite cells
Within the human body so-called satellite cells among others are responsible for muscle growth and maintenance. Just imagine an army of repair and clean-up guys (the satellite cells) stationed between the single muscle fibers in your muscles.
As long as you are sitting on the couch your army has an easy living in the casern and – just like yourself – is in a passive state. Its only task during this time is to maintain the infrastructure (your muscles), similar to the cleaning of your apartment.
If you on the other hand perform physical work like workout or even moderate cardio training, your army will be activated. The reason for the escalated activity of your repair and clean-up army is the chaos caused by the strain (actually microscopically small injuries) in your muscle. Thus, the army of satellite cells parts into two companies. The first company returns to the casern (resting state) to maintain the basic infrastructure. The second company on the other hand cleans up the mess you caused by the strain: it repairs damaged muscle fibers (regeneration) and prepares for future strains (muscle growth, also called hypertrophy)!
Animal experiments have proven that the number of muscle fibers can increase (hyperplasia).
In fact you have command over your army of satellite cells! Regular weight and cardio training will make your army ready for combat!
