Serum levels of myoglobin and creatine kinase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Using a sensitive myoglobin-radioimmunoassay (Mb-RIA) serum Mb was measured in 50 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and compared with the serum creatine kinase (CK) activities. The Mb concentrations (normal range 4-60 ng/ml) measured ranged between 160-6,000 ng/ml and did not only show a significant correlation to the CK but also an inverse relationship to the age of the patients. It is suggested that Mb is an essential adjunct in the diagnosis of DMD.