[Dangerous fortune: creatine kinase and blood pressure].

The thrifty gene hypothesis describes characteristics of 'thrifty' genes that were historically advantageous for survival, but may have become detrimental in modern times. We propose that a high tissue activity of the enzyme creatine kinase is a striking example of such 'dangerous fortune'. High creatine kinase activity, which occurs with greater frequency in people of West African descent, facilitates burst activity of the skeletal muscle. Here, the available energy is maximally used in order to survive. However, in times of abundance with excessive salt intake or continuous stress, high creatine kinase activity may result in hypertension. This is caused by an increased contractility of the arterioles and enhanced salt retention, leading to enhanced pressor responses. The enzyme that once improved the chance of survival has thus become a risk factor for premature cardiovascular mortality.