Improved electrophoretic separation of creatine kinase isoenzymes

Creatine kinase isoenzymes are separated electrophoretically on cellulose acetate, with use of an improved procedure for reactivation and visualization of enzymic activity. N-Acetyl cysteine is used as the reactivator and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide for visualization in a tetrazolium-coupled system. This test, both practical and reliable, is a suitable alternative to chromatographic or immunochemical assay. The method allows: (a) detection of the MB isoenzyme on the basis of its electrophoretic migration, (b) confirmation of results obtained with other methods, particularly by immunoinhibition, and (c) detection of atypical bands of possible diagnostic significance in addition to the recognized fractions.