Attempts to improve the early enzymatic diagnosis of coronary heart disease

Based on the hypothesis that beta lipoproteins have the ability to trap certain enzymes, an attempt was made to release these enzymes from the eventual beta lipoprotein blockade, by subjecting the serum to different processings such as: freezing-thawing (3 times), ultrasonation or treatment with Triton X100 or sodium desoxycholate. After the first two procedures an increase of serum LDH and alkaline phosphatase activities was observed in about half the sera investigated (normal and pathologic). In few cases of coronary heart disease (two out of 60), LDH activity reached a clearly pathologic level.