Creatine Phosphokinase in Neuromuscular Disease

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Abstract
MANY investigations of serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT),1 glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), aldolase,2-6 and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)6 have been reported in the diagnostic and genetic studies of progressive muscular dystrophy. Elevation of these enzymes, however, is not specific for progressive muscular dystrophy and may occur in other conditions7-10 such as impaired liver function. Assay of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) has also been used for the diagnosis of progressive muscular dystrophy10-14 and for the detection of carrier females in families with Duchenne-type pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy.15-17 Since our CPK findings for the detection of carriers are at variance with several of the papers cited, we wish to present our data on CPK levels in muscular dystrophy families. Moreover, we will demonstrate that an elevated CPK is not specific for muscular dystrophy since modest CPK elevation is noted also in several neuromuscular disorders. Methods Most blood samples were