Diagnostic efficacy of myocardial creatine phosphokinase using polyacrylamide disk gel electrophoresis.

Abstract

A method for separating and quantitating the isoenzymes of creatine phosphokinase (EC2.7.3.2ATP: creatine phosphotransferase) using polyacrylamide disk gel electrophoresis is described. Electrophoresis of either tissue homogenates or serum yields clear, well-defined bands representing enzymic activity. Damage to either myocardium or skeletal muscle results in serum isoenzyme patterns similar to those obtained on homogenates of the tissues themselves. An intermediate “cardiac” band was found in specimens from 40 patients with myocardial infarcts documented by clinical, electrocardiographic and other laboratory evidence. In two of these patients the cardiac bands were transient and disappeared within 48 hours after the infarction occurred. The cardiac band was present also in specimens from patients wiuh carbon monoxide poisoning and those with malignant hyperthermia, probably as a result of myocardial damage in these conditions.