[Serum enzymatic activity in neuromuscular diseases]

In 200 patients with neuromuscular diseases the author studied malonic dehydrogenase and lactic dehydrogenase activity comparing it with the activity of serum creatine kinase and aldolase. A significant rise in the values of all these enzymes was found only in the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy, in polymyositis, and less frequently in the limb-girdle type of muscular dystrophy. Raised activity of creatine kinase and sidolase was observed in mothers and sisters of patients with Duchenne type of dystrophy, in patients with non-progressive myopathy, periodic paralysis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polyneuropathy. With progression of dystrophy the activity of these enzymes decreases.