Creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity in serum before and after intravenous salbutamol administration of patients with bronchial asthma.

The effect of salbutamol, a selective beta 2-adrenergic agonist, on creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) activity in serum of 20 asthmatic patients was investigated. Venous blood was obtained 30 min, 2 h and 4 h after 0.5 mg salbutamol intravenous injection of 0.5 mg salbutamol. Total creatine kinase activity was assayed on a Technico RA-1000 analyzer with the IFCC recommended method. CK-MB activity was determined using a centrifugal analyzer (Cobas Fera, Roche, Switzerland). Reagent kits were provided by Boehringer Mannheim (FRG). We observed no increase of CK-activity after salbutamol, and found a statistically significant increase of CK-MB activity. Serum CK-MB activity before treatment was 13 +/- 10/IU/l after 30 minutes drug, 31.8 +/- 19 IU/l after 2 h 27.2 +/- 17.79 and after 4 h 22.6 +/- 12 IU/l. We conclude that salbutamol exerts a cardiotoxic effect.