Effect of acute carbon monoxide poisoning on serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase

Young adult rats were exposed to 1,500 ppm CO in air for 2 hr. Blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration immediately postexposure was 55.68 +/- 0.90%. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity peaked at 117% above control 2 hr postexposure, while serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity was maximal at 132% above control immediately following termination of exposure. Serum LDH activity declined to control within 8 hr, while serum CPK undershot controls at 8 hr and returned to the control value by 24 hr.