Dynamics of activity of creatine kinase and its isoenzymes in the serum of patients with alcoholism

: Activity of creatine kinase (CK) and its isoenzymes was studied in blood serum of 32 patients with alcohol abstinent syndrome of various severity as well as in persons with long-term remission (from 1 to 14 years) as compared with the enzymatic activity in healthy volunteers. The severity of alcohol abstinent syndrome correlated with an increase in the total enzyme activity in blood, where content of the all three CK isoenzymes (MM, MB and BB), especially of BB-CK, was elevated. Content of MB and BB isozymes was increased in blood of patients with long-term remission, while activity of each of the isozyme constituted up to 20-30% of total CK activity, which was by one decimal order higher as compared with control values. Importance of the alterations observed in activity of creatine kinase and its isoenzymes for diagnosis of alcoholism, especially under conditions of alcohol abuse and long-term alcohol abstinence, is discussed.