U.S. patent application number 10/363761 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-13 for creatine ester pronutrient compounds and formulations.
Invention is credited to Miller, Donald W, Vennerstrom, Jonathan L..
Application Number | 20030212136 10/363761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29401287 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030212136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vennerstrom, Jonathan L. ;
et al. |
November 13, 2003 |
Creatine ester pronutrient compounds and formulations
Abstract
The present invention describes a method for providing creatine
to an animal which includes receiving a creatine ester by the
animal. The creatine ester is suitable for being modified by the
animal to form creatine.
Inventors: |
Vennerstrom, Jonathan L.;
(Omaha, NE) ; Miller, Donald W; (Omaha,
NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUITER WEST PC LLO
14301 FNB PARKWAY
SUITE 220
OMAHA
NE
68154
US
|
Family ID: |
29401287 |
Appl. No.: |
10/363761 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
September 14, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US01/28788 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
514/565 ;
514/114; 514/551 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/7004 20130101;
A61K 31/66 20130101; A61P 3/02 20180101; A23V 2002/00 20130101;
A23V 2002/00 20130101; A61P 21/00 20180101; A61P 25/16 20180101;
A23L 33/10 20160801; A61P 25/00 20180101; A61K 31/221 20130101;
A23K 20/142 20160501; A61K 31/22 20130101; A61P 9/00 20180101; A61K
31/198 20130101; A23V 2250/306 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
514/565 ;
514/114; 514/551 |
International
Class: |
A61K 031/66; A61K
031/22; A61K 031/198 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing creatine to an animal, comprising:
receiving a creatine ester by the animal, wherein the creatine
ester is suitable for being modified by the animal to form
creatine.
2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the creatine ester
is suitable for being formed in a solid form capable of being
ingested by the animal.
3. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the solid form
includes the creatine ester and at least one of dextrose and
phosphate.
4. The method as described in claim 2, wherein the solid form is
configured as at least one of a tablet and a capsule.
5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the creatine ester
is suitable for liquid delivery.
6. The method as described in claim 5, wherein the creatine ester
includes at least one of an aqueous solution and emulsion.
7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the creatine ester
includes at least one of creatine ethyl ester, creatine benzyl
ester, creatine phosphoester, monocreatine glycerol, t-butyl
creatine ester, dicreatine glycerol and tricreatine glycerol.
8. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the creatine ester
is received by the animal, the creatine ester is modified by the
animal into creatine and an alcohol.
9. The method as described in claim 8, wherein the creatine ester
is modified by the animal into creatine and alcohol by an
esterase.
10. The method as described in claim 8, wherein the creatine ester
is modified by at least one of an intestinal lumen, epithelial cell
and blood of the animal into creatine.
11. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising forming
a creatine ester, wherein an acid moiety of creatine is modified to
provide an ester bond.
12. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the animal includes
a human and livestock.
13. A food supplement, comprising: a creatine ester suitable for
being modified by an animal to form creatine.
14. The food supplement as described in claim 13, wherein the
creatine ester is suitable for being formed in a solid form capable
of being ingested by the animal.
15. The food supplement as described in claim 14, wherein the solid
form includes the creatine ester and at least one of dextrose and
phosphate.
16. The food supplement as described in claim 14, wherein the solid
form is configured as at least one of a tablet and a capsule.
17. The food supplement as described in claim 13, wherein the
creatine ester is suitable for liquid delivery.
18. The food supplement as described in claim 17, wherein the
creatine ester includes at least one of an aqueous solution and
emulsion.
19. The food supplement as described in claim 13, wherein the
creatine ester includes at least one of creatine ethyl ester,
creatine benzyl ester, creatine phosphoester, monocreatine
glycerol, t-butyl creatine ester, dicreatine glycerol and
tricreatine glycerol.
20. The food supplement as described in claim 13, wherein the
creatine ester is received by the animal, the creatine ester is
modified by the animal into creatine and an alcohol.
21. The food supplement as described in claim 20, wherein the
creatine ester is modified by the animal into creatine and alcohol
by an esterase.
22. The food supplement as described in claim 20, wherein the
creatine ester is modified by at least one of an intestinal lumen,
epithelial cell and blood of the animal into creatine.
23. The food supplement as described in claim 13, further
comprising forming a creatine ester, wherein an acid moiety of
creatine is modified to provide an ester bond.
24. The food supplement as described in claim 13, wherein the
animal includes at least one of human and livestock.
25. A method for providing creatine to an animal, comprising:
receiving an ester derivative of creatine by the animal, wherein
the ester derivative of creatine is suitable for acting as a
pronutrient in an animal.
26. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the ester
derivative of creatine acts as a pronutrient in the
gastrointestinal tract of the animal.
27. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the pronutrient is
metabolized by the animal to form creatine.
28. The method as described in claim 27, wherein the pronutrient is
metabolized by an esterase.
29. The method as described in claim 28, wherein the pronutrient is
metabolized by esterases in at least one of an intestinal lumen,
epithelial cell and blood.
30. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the pronutrient is
metabolized by the animal for form an alcohol.
31. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the creatine ester
is suitable for being formed in a solid form capable of being
ingested by the animal.
32. The method as described in claim 31, wherein the solid form
includes the creatine ester and at least one of dextrose and
phosphate.
33. The method as described in claim 31, wherein the solid form is
configured as at least one of a tablet and a capsule.
34. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the creatine ester
is suitable for liquid delivery.
35. The method as described in claim 34, wherein the creatine ester
includes at least one of an aqueous solution and emulsion.
36. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the creatine ester
includes at least one of creatine ethyl ester, creatine benzyl
ester, creatine phosphoester, monocreatine glycerol, t-butyl
creatine ester, dicreatine glycerol and tricreatine glycerol.
37. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the creatine ester
is received by the animal, the creatine ester is modified by the
animal into creatine and an alcohol.
38. The method as described in claim 37, wherein the creatine ester
is modified by the animal into creatine and alcohol by an
esterase.
39. The method as described in claim 37, wherein the creatine ester
is modified by at least one of an intestinal lumen, epithelial cell
and blood of the animal into creatine.
40. The method as described in claim 25, further comprising forming
a creatine ester, wherein an acid moiety of creatine is modified to
provide an ester bond.
41. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the animal
includes human and livestock.
42. A composition of matter, comprising: 11wherein R represents an
ester.
43. The composition of matter as described in claim 42, wherein R
represents an ester so as to form a composition of matter including
at least one of creatine benzyl ester, creatine phosphoester,
monocreatine glycerol, t-butyl creatine ester, dicreatine glycerol
and tricreatine glycerol.
44. The composition of matter as described in claim 42, wherein the
composition of matter is suitable for being converted to creatine
upon receipt by an animal.
45. The composition of matter as described in claim 44, wherein
upon receipt of the composition of matter by the animal, creatine
and an alcohol are formed.
46. The composition of matter as described in claim 42, wherein a
salt is formed of the composition of matter.
47. A method of producing a creatine pronutrient, comprising:
reacting at least one of an anhydrous creatine and hydrated form of
creatine with an alcohol in an acidic environment, wherein a
product is formed including a creatine ester pronutrient.
48. The method as described in claim 47, wherein the hydrated form
of creatine includes creatine monohydrate.
49. The method as described in claim 47, wherein the alcohol
includes at least one of ethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol.
50. The method as described in claim 47, wherein the acidic
environment is achieved through hydrochloric acid being
present.
51. The method as described in claim 47, further comprising
purifying the product.
52. The method as described in claim 51, wherein the product is
purified by solvating the product in an alcohol and then cooling to
form purified creatine ester.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/232,969 filed
Sep. 14, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of
creatine, and particularly to creatine ester pronutrient compounds
and formulations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Creatine is an endogenous nutrient produced naturally by the
liver in most vertebrates. The uses of creatine are many, including
use as a supplement to increase muscle mass and enhance muscle
performance as well as in emerging applications in the treatment of
neuromuscular disorders.
[0004] Typically, creatine is taken up into muscle cells by
specific receptors and converted to phosphocreatine by creatine
kinase. Muscle cells, including skeletal muscle and the heart
muscle, function by utilizing cellular energy released from the
conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine diphosphate
(ADP). The amount of phosphocreatine in the muscle cell determines
the amount of time it will take for the muscle to recover from
activity and regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Phosphocreatine is a rapidly accessible source of phosphate
required for regeneration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and
sustained use of the muscle.
[0005] For example, energy used to expand and contract muscles is
supplied from adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) is metabolized in the muscle by cleaving a phosphate radical
to release energy needed to contract the muscle. Adenosine
diphosphate (ADP) is formed as a byproduct of this metabolism. The
most common sources of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are from
glycogen and creatine phosphate. Creatine phosphate is favored as a
ready source of phosphate because it is able to resynthesize
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at a greater rate than is typically
achieved utilizing glycogen. Therefore, increasing the amount of
creatine in the muscle increases the muscle stores of
phosphocreatine and has been proven to increase muscle performance
and increase muscle mass.
[0006] However, creatine itself is poorly soluble in an aqueous
solution. Further, creatine is not well absorbed from the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which has been estimated to have a 1
to 14 percent absorption rate. Thus, current products require large
amounts of creatine to be administered to be effective, typically 5
grams or more. Additionally, side effects such as bloating,
gastrointestinal (GI) distress, diarrhea, and the like are
encountered with these high dosages.
[0007] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an improved
approach for enhancing absorption of creatine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to creatine
ester pronutrients and formulations. In a first aspect of the
present invention, a method for providing creatine to an animal
includes receiving a creatine ester by the animal. The creatine
ester is suitable for being modified by the animal to form
creatine.
[0009] In a second aspect of the present invention, a food
supplement includes a creatine ester suitable for being modified by
an animal to form creatine. In a third aspect of the present
invention, a method for providing creatine to an animal includes
receiving an ester derivative of creatine by the animal. The ester
derivative of creatine is suitable for acting as a pronutrient in
an animal.
[0010] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a composition
of matter includes: 1
[0011] wherein R represents an ester.
[0012] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method of
producing a creatine pronutrient includes reacting a hydrated form
of creatine with an alcohol in an acidic environment wherein a
product is formed including a creatine ester pronutrient.
[0013] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of
the invention and together with the general description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be
better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0015] FIG. 1A is an illustration depicting conversion of creatine
to creatinine;
[0016] FIG. 1B is a depiction of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention wherein the processing of creatine monohydrate
versus a creatine ester by the body is shown;
[0017] FIG. 1C is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention wherein a pronutrient
derivative of creatine is created through the modification of an
acid moiety by ester bond attachment;
[0018] FIG. 1D is an illustration of an embodiment of the present
invention in which a graph depicting solubility and partition
coefficients of creatine ethyl ester versus creatine monohydrate
are shown;
[0019] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2I, 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M and
2N are illustrations of exemplary compounds of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention wherein a creatine ethyl ester compound is
produced by solvating creatine monohydrate in dry ethyl alcohol in
an acidic atmosphere;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present
invention wherein additional methods and processes are shown for
the production of a creatine ester; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention wherein a creatine benzyl ester compound
is produced by solvating anhydrous creatine in dry benzyl alcohol
in an acidic atmosphere.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0024] Referring generally now to FIGS. 1 through 5, exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are shown. Creatine,
N-aminoiminomethyl-N-methyl- glycine, is an endogenous nutrient
which may be produced in the liver and kidneys. Typically, creatine
is produced by the transfer of the guanidine moiety of arginine to
glycine, which is then methylated to give creatine. Creatine may be
represented by the following formula: 2
[0025] Creatine phosphate is formed in the body and may be
represented by the following formula: 3
[0026] Creatine is converted to creatine phosphate by the creatine
kinase enzyme. The creatine phosphate transfers its phosphate to
adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to accomplish the regeneration of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) may then
be utilized by the muscles as a source of energy. Thus, by
providing a formulation and method for enhanced absorption of
creatine, the muscle levels of phosphocreatine will be elevated. As
a result of this, muscle mass and performance may be increased,
thereby permitting a variety of therapeutic applications.
[0027] Studies in the laboratory have shown that the aqueous
solubility and partition coefficient of creatine monohydrate are
15.6.+-.2.1 mg/mL and 0.015.+-.0.007, respectively. The low oral
bioavailability of creatine may derive not only from its low
lipophilicity and concomitant poor membrane permeability, but also
from rapid conversion to creatinine in the acidic condition of the
stomach, and shown in FIG. 1A.
[0028] At a gastric pH range of 1-2, the equilibrium between
creatine and creatinine shifts to the right such that the
creatinine/creatine ratio may be greater than or equal to 30. See
Edgar, G.; Shiver, H. E., The Equilibrium Between Creatine and
Creatinine in Aqueous Solution. The Effect of Hydrogen Ion. J.
Amer. Chem. Soc. 1925, 47, 1179-1188, which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1B, an embodiment of the present
invention is shown wherein creatine ester metabolism is shown. By
providing a creatine ester, a more water-soluble compound will be
provided than the relatively insoluble zwitterionic creatine, and
increased lipophilicities will allow for better membrane
permeability.
[0030] For example, by masking the carboxylic acid functional group
of creatinine by esterification, the formation of creatinine in the
stomach will be precluded, resulting in an efficient delivery of
the creatine esters to the intestine where absorption may occur.
Standard supplements containing creatine monohydrate undergo
substantial conversion to creatinine in the stomach. This, coupled
with the low absorption of creatine in the intestine, leads to
reduced amounts of creatine reaching the muscle cell.
[0031] In contrast, creatine esters do not undergo conversion to
creatinine in the stomach and are more readily absorbed in the
intestine. As a result, blood creatine concentrations are higher
and thus more creatine is available to the muscle. As a result of
this, the intestinal absorption of creatine ester will be
significantly greater than that observed with creatine monohydrate.
An additional advantage of creatine esters is that, as the creatine
ester compound moves from the intestinal tissue into the
bloodstream, the creatine ester compounds themselves are
biologically inactive, but esterase enzymes present in both the
intestinal cells and the blood break the ester bonds of creatine
ester, converting it to biologically active creatine. In other
words, the advantages of the creatine ester are preserved during
transport, such as increased solubility and permeability, but when
needed, the creatine is available to be converted into its
biologically active form.
[0032] Compared to creatine monohydrate, the increased blood levels
of creatine obtained with supplements containing the creatine ester
compounds are expected to result in increased responses at the
target tissue (i.e. muscle). Thus the increased stability and
improved absorption of creatine ester results in much greater blood
creatine levels than can be achieved with creatine monohydrate
supplements. Once in the blood, creatine is transported into the
muscle cells, where it is converted to creatine phosphate that will
then be consumed by the cell during muscle performance.
[0033] Following is a brief overview of the various disease states
that may be responsive to creatine supplementation. It should be
noted that the proposed disease states below involve increasing
creatine in a diverse array of cells including not only muscle but
neurons and endothelial cells as well.
[0034] Parkinson's Disease
[0035] Parkinson's disease depletes dopamine levels in the brain.
Energy impairment may play a role in the loss of dopaminergic
neurons. Studies involving rats showed that a diet supplemented
with creatine for 2 weeks resulted in only a 10% reduction in brain
dopamine as compared to a 70% doparnine depletion in
nonsupplemented rodents. See Matthews R T, Ferrante R J, Klivenyi
P, Yang L, Klein A M, Mueller G, Kaddurah-Daouk R and Beal M F.
Creatine and cyclocreatine attenuate MPTP neurotoxicity. Exp Neurol
157: 142-149, (1999), which is herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety. These pre-clinical studies suggest that creatine
dietary supplements may have a positive therapeutic outcome in
slowing the onset and decreasing the severity of the disease.
[0036] Huntington's Disease
[0037] Alterations in energy production may also contribute to the
development of brain lesions in patients with Huntington's disease.
Rats fed a diet supplemented with creatine for 2 weeks responded
better when exposed to 3-nitropropionic acid which mimics the
changes in energy metabolism seen with Huntington's disease. The
creatine fed animals had 83% less lesion volume than
nonsupplemented animals (Matthews et al., 1999).
[0038] Mitochondrial Pathologies
[0039] Creatine supplementation increased the life-span of GP3A
transgenic mice (a model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) up to
26 days. A study involving patients with a variety of neuromuscular
disorders also benefited from creatine supplementation. See
Klivenyi P, Ferrante R J, Matthews R T, Bogdanov M B, Klein A M,
Andreassen O A, Mueller G, Wermer M, Kaddurah-Daouk R and Beal M F.
Neuroprotective effects of creatine in a transgenic animal model of
anzyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Med 5: 347-350, (1999), which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Increases in
high-density strength measurements were seen in these patients
following a short-term trail of creatine (10 g/d for 5 days with 5
g/d for 5 to 7 days). Creatine supplementation also resulted in
increased body weight in these patients.
[0040] Stroke
[0041] Creatine may also be useful in patients with hypoxia and
ishemic brain diseases such as stroke. Creatine has been shown to
reduce damage to the brainstem and hippocampus resulting from
hypoxia. See Balestrino M, Rebaudo R and Lunardi G. Exogenous
creatine delays anoxic depolarization and protects from hypoxic
damage: Dose-effect relationship. Brain Res 816:124-130, (1999);
and Dechent P, Pouwels P J, Wilken B, Hanefeld F and Frahm J.
Increase of total creatine in human brain after oral
supplementation of creatine-monohydrate. Am J Physiol 277:
R698-R704, (1999) which are herein incorporated by reference in
their entirety. This neuroprotection may be due to prevention of
ATP depletion. Studies suggest that supplementation of humans with
creatine does increase brain levels of creatine. See Wick M,
Fujimori H, Michaelis T and Frahm J. Brain water diffusion in
normal and creatine-supplemented rats during transient global
ischemia. Magn Reson Med 42: 798-802, (1999); Michaelis T, Wick M,
Fujimori H, Matsumura A and Frahm J. Proton MRS of oral creatine
supplementation in rats. Cerebral metabolite concentrations and
ischemic challenge. NMR Biomed 12: 309-314, (1999); and Malcon C,
Kaddurah-Daouk R and Beal M. Neuroprotective effects of creatine
administration against NMDA and malonate toxicity. Brain Res 860:
195-198, (2000) which are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety. High brain creatine levels may offer protection to
ischemic brain injury.
[0042] Muscular Diseases
[0043] Patients with various muscular dystrophies supplemented with
creatine for 8 weeks showed a 3% increase in strength and a 10%
improvement in neuromuscular symptom score. Short-term creatine
supplementation also improved strength in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis, but did not change physical function. See Felber S,
Skladal D, Wyss M, Kremser C, Koller A and Sperl W. Oral creatine
supplementation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A clinical and 31P
magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Neurol Res 22: 145-150
(2000), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Patients with McArdles disease showed improvements when given
creatine. The improvements included reduced frequency of muscle
pain and increased exercise performance and strength. Increases in
exercise performance where also seen during ischemic episodes. See
Willer B, Stucki G, Hoppeler H, Bruhlmann P and Krahenbuhl S.
Effects of creatine supplementation on muscle weakness in patients
with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology 39: 293-298, (2000), which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0044] Heart Disease
[0045] Given the role of creatine phosphate as an immediate and
readily accessible source of phosphate for regeneration of ATP, it
follows that creatine supplementation may have a favorable impact
diseases of the heart. In patients with congestive heart failure
creatine supplementation produced an increase in exercise
performance as measured by strength and endurance. See Gordon A,
Hultman E, Kaijser L, Kristjansson S, Rolf C J, Nyquist O and
Sylven C. Creatine supplementation in chronic heart failure
increases skeletal muscle creatine phosphat and muscle
performanmce. Cardiovasc Res 30: 413-418, (1995), which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. An additional
consideration with ramifications in the management of
cardiovascular diseases is the report that creatine supplementation
can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in humans. See
Earnest C P, Almada A L and Mitchell T L. High-performance
capillary electrophoresis-pure creatine monohydrate reduces blood
lipids in men and women. Clin Sci (Colch) 91: 113-118, (1996),
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0046] Muscle Fatigue Secondary to Aging
[0047] Research on adults over 60-years of age suggest that
creatine supplementation may delay muscle fatigue, but does not
affect body composition or strength (Rawson and Clarkson, 2000).
See Rawson E S and Clarkson P M. Acute creatine supplementation in
older men. Int J Sports Med 21: 71-75, (2000), which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. As with many of the
therapeutic implication studies, these preliminary experiments were
performed over a short (i.e. less than 30-day) period of time,
where the effects of creatine supplementation on muscle mass and
strength may not be fully demonstrated. While the effects observed
in the elderly were not profound, these initial reports suggest the
health benefits to this growing population are promising.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 1C, an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention is shown wherein a pronutrient derivative of
creatine is created through the modification of an acid moiety by
ester bond attachment. Creatine 102 is changed by modifying an acid
moiety through ester bond attachment 104. For example, creatine may
be converted to creatine ethyl ester 106, which has a formula as
follows: 4
[0049] A creatine ester has the advantages of increased aqueous
solubility, increased absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI)
tract resulting in increased bioavailability, and increased
stability, especially for solution formulations. Increased
bioavailability allows smaller doses to be utilized with greater
effect, thereby resulting in fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Further, more varied formulation possibilities are feasible, for
example, the product may be formulated in tablet or capsule form
with dextrose and/or phosphate for ease of use and
effectiveness.
[0050] Once the product is ingested 108, the body metabolizes and
activates the product by esterases 110, which may be found in the
intestinal lumen, epithelial cells and the blood. The esterases
convert the product to creatine 114 and an alcohol 116. Thus, the
current invention supplements the amount of creatine normally
available to the muscle thereby increasing phosphocreatine levels
and decreasing the recovery time required before the muscle can
perform activity. Further, the resultant alcohols, such as ethanol,
glycerol, benzyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, are relatively
harmless. See Budavari, S. (Ed.) The Merck Index. Merck and Co.,
Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1996, which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety. For example, benzyl alcohol is used
as a pharmaceutical preservative.
[0051] Solubility and permeability are two important factors in the
amount of a compound made available to an organism, otherwise known
as bioavailability. Solubility refers to the amount of the compound
that may be dissolved, wherein permeability refers to the ability
of the compound to penetrate across a barrier, such as a membrane,
cell wall and the like. In terms of solubility, creatine ethyl
ester is a 2J, 2K, 2L, 2M and 2N. For example, a mono-creatine
glycerol, di-creatine glycerol, tricreatine glycerol and the like,
may be utilized as a pronutrient of the present invention, the
formula for a tricreatine glycerol is as follows: 5
[0052] Another example of a creatine ester compound suitable for
use as a pronutrient includes creatine phosphoester, the formula of
which is as follows: 6
[0053] Thus, the present invention provides multiple ester
derivatives of creatine for use as pronutrients having increased
solubility and permeability over creatine itself. The advantages of
creatine pronutrients of the present invention would be useful in
athletic performance markets, therapeutic markets targeting
patients with diseases involving reduced muscle performance/loss of
muscle mass, livestock/animal food products market, and the
like.
[0054] Referring generally now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the production
of an ester derivative of creatine is shown. A creatine ester may
be formed by reacting a hydrated form of creatine or anhydrous
creatine with various alcohols in an acidic atmosphere. Under these
great deal more soluble that creatine. Utilizing a physiological
buffer solution (PBS), laboratory analysis indicates that creatine
monohydrate has a solubility limit of approximately 10 mg/ml. This
value may be overly generous, as a great deal of vortexing of the
sample and brief heating of the sample to 37 degrees Celsius had to
be performed to even achieve that result. However, the creatine
ethyl ester is readily soluble in room temperature PBS with
solubility over 200 mg/ml.
[0055] With regard to permeability, a laboratory analysis was
performed comparing the creatine monohydrate to creatine ethyl
ester in MDCK monolayers. The MDCK are a canine kidney epithelial
cell line that has been used as an in vitro model for assessing
drug permeability. In the MDCK monolayers, creatine monohydrate
showed approximately 10% flux over one hour. In other words, 10% of
the original amount of creatine monohydrate added to one side of
the MDCK monolayer made it across to the other side in a 60-minute
period. For creatine ethyl ester, the permeability is quite higher,
averaging approximately 20% flux over one hour. Similar results are
expected in a Caco-2 monolayer, which may be used as an in vitro
model for intestinal absorption. Thus, the creatine ester of the
present invention has the unexpected result of both increased
solubility and membrane permeability, and thus greater
bioavailability, as shown through the following table and graph
depicted in FIG. 1D.
1 Substance Conc. at Saturation mg/ml Partition Coefficient
Creatine 15.6 +/- 2.1 0.015 +/- 0.007 Creatine Ethyl Ester 205.9
+/- 1.5 0.074 +/- 0.008 Creatine Benzyl Ester 89.26 +/- 0.8 0.106
+/- 0.01
[0056] Although a creatine ethyl ester compound has been described,
it should be apparent that a wide variety of creatine ester
compounds and salts thereof are contemplated by the present
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
examples of which are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G,
2H, 2I, conditions, various ester procreatine compounds may be
formed, generally as white precipitates. The resultant creatine
esters may be further purified by solvating in an alcohol at
elevated temperatures and then cooling to form the ester
procreatine compound. The final recrystallization step may not be
required, as the initial precipitate is generally pure. However,
such an extra step may be useful to ensure that the purest form of
the creatine pronutrient has been obtained.
[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, creatine monohydrate may be
solvated in dry ethyl alcohol in an atmosphere of hydrochloric acid
at ambient temperatures. The resultant creatine ethyl ester
compound is solid at ambient temperatures. While not functionally
necessary, the resultant creatine ethyl ester may be further
purified with the use of ethyl alcohol at an elevated temperature
to solvate the creatine ethyl ester away from possible contaminates
contained in the solid reaction material. Purified creatine ethyl
ester may then be achieved upon cooling the solvated creatine ethyl
ester. It should also be apparent that anhydrous creatine may also
be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0058] Although the formulation of creatine ethyl ester is
disclosed, it should be apparent that a variety of creatine esters
may be produced utilizing analogous reaction systems without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. See
Dox., A. W.; Yoder, L. Esterification of Creatine. J. Biol. Chem.
1922, 67, 671-673, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety. For instance, a variety of methods of producing a
creatine ester are contemplated without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention, such as the methods and process
shown in FIG. 4, wherein X may include a leaving group. Although
the use of creatine monohydrate is disclosed, a variety of creatine
containing starting compounds are contemplated by the present
invention, creatine monohydrate being disclosed merely because of
its availability.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the present
invention is shown wherein anhydrous creatine is solvated in dry
benzyl alcohol in an atmosphere of hydrochloric acid at ambient
temperatures to produce a creatine ester. The resultant creatine
benzyl ester compound is a white solid at ambient temperatures.
While not functionally necessary, the resultant creatine benzyl
ester may be further purified with the use of ethyl alcohol at an
elevated temperature to solvate the creatine benzyl ester away from
possible contaminates. Purified creatine benzyl ester may then be
achieved upon cooling the solvated creatine benzyl ester. As stated
earlier, the final recrystallization step may not be required as
the initial precipitate in relatively pure. However, such an extra
purification step may be useful to ensure that the most pure form
of the compound has been obtained.
[0060] As discussed earlier, creatine esters may also be
synthesized from anhydrous creatine using esterification methods
and isolated as their hydrochloride salts. For example, creatine
ethyl ester hydrochloride may be synthesized by treatment of
anhydrous creatine with ethanolic HCl at room temperature. See
Dox., A. W.; Yoder, L. Esterification of Creatine. J. Biol. Chem.,
67, 671-673, (1922) which is herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety. 7
[0061] Using this method, creatine ethyl ester hydrochloride was
synthesized in 74% yield after a single recrystallization from
ethanol. 8
[0062] Creatine esters creatine benzyl ester hydrochloride and
creatine monoglycerate ester hydrochloride may similarly be
obtained by exposure of anhydrous creatine with excess
HCl-saturated benzyl alcohol and glycerol, respectively. It should
be apparent that stereoisomers, such as a stereoisomers of creatine
monoglycerate ester hydrochloride, and the compounds shown in FIGS.
2B, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2J and the like, are also contemplated by the
present invention. 9
[0063] Creatine tert-butyl ester hydrochloride may be obtained by
treatment of creatine acid chloride with tert-butanol and zinc
chloride. See Rak, J.; Lubkowski, J.; Nikel, I.; Przubulski, J.;
Blazejowski, J. Thermal Properties, Crystal Lattice Energy,
Mechanism and Energetics of the Thermal Decomposition of
Hydrochlorides of 2-Amino Acid Esters, Thermochimica Acta 171,
253-277 (1990); Yadav, J. S.; Reddy, G. S.; Srinivas, D.;
Himabindu, K. Zinc Promoted Mild and Efficient Method for the
Esterification of Acid Chlorides with Alcohols, Synthetic Comm. 28,
2337-2342 (1998). Creatine tert-butyl ester hydrochloride may also
be obtained by treatment of anhydrous creatine with tert-butanol
and anhydrous magnesium sulfate and catalytic sulfuric acid. See
Wright, S. W.; Hageman, D. L.; Wright, A. S.; McClure, L. D.
Convenient Preparations of t-Butyl Esters and Ethers from
t-Butanol, Tetrahedron Lett. 38, 7345-7348 (1997), which are herein
incorporated by reference in their entireties. 10
[0064] Bis creatine glycerate ester dihydrochloride ester, may be
obtained by treatment of creatine acid chloride with a half-molar
equivalent of anhydrous glycerol. See Rak, J.; Lubkowski, J.;
Nikel, L.; Przubulski, J.; Blazejowski, J. Thermal Properties,
Crystal Lattice Energy, Mechanism and Energetics of the Thermal
Decomposition of Hydrochlorides of 2-Amino Acid Ester,
Thermochimica Acta 71, 253-277 (1990), which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0065] Alternatives to these methods include transesterification
reaction of CE1 using either catalytic diphenyl ammonium triflate
and trimethylsilyl chloride (Wakasugi et al., 2000) or catalytic
potassium tert-butoxide and 1 equivalent of tert-butyl acetate.
Creatine acid chloride may also be used rather than anhydrous
creatine in the esterification reactions. See Wakasugi, K.; Misake,
T.; Yamada, K.; Tanabe, Y. Diphenylammonium triflate (DPAT):
Efficient Catalyst for Esterification of Carboxylic Acids and For
Transesterification of Carboxylic Esters With Nearly Equimolar
Amounts of Alcohols, Tetrahedron Lett. 41, 5249-5252 (2000), which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0066] Regioselectivity problems in the formation of creatine
esters, such as creatine monoglycerate ester hydrochloride, Bis
creatine glycerate ester dihydrochloride ester, and the like, may
be addressed by selective esterification of the primary alcohol
functional group(s) of glycerol with creatine acid chloride in the
presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine or 2,4,6-collidine at low
temperatures. See Ishihara, K.; Kurihara, H.; Yamamoto, H. An
Extremely Simple, Convenient, and Selective Method for Acetylating
Primary Alcohols in the Presence of Secondary Alcohols, J. Org
Chem. 58, 3791-3793 (1993), which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0067] Creatine esters may be purified by crystallization, flash
column chromatography, and the like, if desired, and the structures
and purity confirmed by analytical HPLC, .sup.1H and .sup.13C NMR,
IR, melting point and elemental analysis. The following data was
obtained through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the
corresponding compounds:
[0068] Creatine Ethyl Ester Hydrochloride
[0069] .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) .delta. 1.12 (dq, J=6.0
Hz, J=1.0 Hz, 3H), 2.91, (s, 3H), 4.10-4.11 (m, 4H).
[0070] Creatine Benzyl Ester Hydrochloride
[0071] .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d.sub.6) .delta. 3.03 (s, 3H),
4.13 (s, 2H), 5.06 (s, 2H), 7.22-7.38 (m, 5H).
[0072] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of
steps in the methods disclosed are examples of exemplary
approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that
the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be
rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present
invention. The accompanying method claims present elements of the
various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to
the specific order or hierarchy presented.
[0073] It is believed that the creatine ester pronutrient compounds
and formulations of the present invention and many of its attendant
advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is
also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be
made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components
thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.
The form herein before described being merely an explanatory
embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to
encompass and include such changes.
* * * * *