Observed activities of serum creatine kinase: total and B subunit activity and other enzymes in young persons abusing solvents.

Serum enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase, and creatine kinase (CK] were measured in 296 young persons who admitted to recent inhalation of solvents, usually toluene based glues. In general, results fell within expected adult reference ranges except for ALP and CK. About 60% of subjects had CK activities above the upper reference limit and these activities were investigated in terms of their isoenzyme composition. CK B subunit activity was measured in 90 subjects with raised total CK activities. In five instances the CK B subunit activity was judged abnormal and in two subjects the presence of CK BB was confirmed. These two subjects were thought to have a circulating macro CK, type 1. It is concluded that the increased total CK activity found in this group of solvent abusers was due to physical activity, but a contribution from specific muscle toxicity by solvents cannot be excluded.