Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, serum creatine kinase and its isoenzymes related to body weight in porcine malignant hyperthermia.

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, serum creatine kinase (CK) and its isoenzymes (CK-MM, CK-MB and CK-BB) were determined in pigs susceptible (SMH) and resistant (RMH) to malignant hyperthermia at three different body weights (Group 1, 10 to 25 kg; Group 2, 26 to 55 kg; Group 3, 56 to 95 kg). The halothane challenge test was used for determining susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH). Significantly (P less than 0.05) greater erythrocyte haemolysis at saline concentrations of 80 to 100 mM NaCl occurred only between SMH and RMH pigs for body weight group 2. The determination of blood enzyme activities revealed also a significant (P less than 0.001) increase for total CK, CK-MM and CK-BB in SMH and RMH pigs of body weight Group 2. Furthermore in SMH pigs, total CK, CK-MM and CK-MB activities were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in the animals of body weight Group 2. It was concluded that, in SMH pigs, weighing between 26 and 55 kg, there is a relationship between erythrocyte osmotic fragility, plasma CK, CK isoenzyme activities and muscle development.