Serum enzyme studies in muscle disease: Part II Serum creatine kinase activity in muscular dystrophy and in other myopathic and neuropathic disorders

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Abstract
The results suggest that estimation of the serum creatine kinase activity is of considerable diagnostic value especially as an indicator of the Duchenne type of dystrophy. This determination may also be of value in differentiating cases of muscular dystrophy from polymyositis. In comparing values it is important that they are related to the same biochemical method. Increased levels of muscle enzymes in the serum is thought to represent an abnormal permeability of the muscle cell membrane which allows leakage out into the plasma. This leakage is a secondary effect of muscle cell dysfunction and not of etiological significance. It is possible that the dystrophic process selectively damages the muscle cell membrane. In the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy this process appears to be most marked.