Creatine Transporter, Reduced in Colon Tissues From Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Regulates Energy Balance in Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Epithelial Integrity, and Barrier Function

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have intestinal barrier dysfunction. Creatine regulates energy distribution within cells and reduces the severity of colitis in mice. We studied the functions of the creatine transporter solute carrier family 6 member 8 (SLC6A8, also called CRT) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and mice, and measured levels in mucosal biopsies from patients with IBD.