| Background | Creatine kinase (CK) , also known as creatine phosphokinase (CPK) or phospho-creatine kinase is an enzyme (EC 2.7.3.2) expressed by various tissues and cell types. In the cells, the "cytosolic" CK enzymes consist of two subunits, which can be either B (brain type) or M (muscle type). There are, therefore, three different isoenzymes: CK-MM, CK-BB and CK-MB. CK is often determined routinely in emergency patients. In addition, it is determined specifically in patients with chest pain and if acute renal failure is suspected. Elevation of CK is an indication of damage to muscle. It is therefore indicative of injury, rhabdomyolysis, myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy, myositis, myocarditis, malignant hyperthermia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Lowered CK can be an indication of alcoholic liver disease and rheumatoid arthritis. |
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