[Creatine kinase in patients with diabetes mellitus]

In 72 diabetic patients the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and its isoenzyme MB were examined together with the levels of other enzymes most frequently examined in practice. A transient elevation of the CK level, mainly of the muscular isoenzyme, was found in 12.5% of the patients examined. In none of these patients lesions of the myocardium, thyroid gland or the striated muscles, which could explain the rise of CK, were found. There was a moderate correlation between the degree of glycemia and the CK elevation but there was no such correlation with other enzymes. With improvement of the carbohydrate metabolism the CK level became normal. The possible pathogenic mechanisms for the rise of the CK level in diabetes mellitus are discussed. The limited number of the patients examined does not allow final conclusions about these mechanisms.