CPK Isoenzymes Electrophoresis, Serum

Creatinine Phosphokinase (CPK) is an enzyme that is found in the skeletal muscles, heart muscles and brain. In case of a muscle injury, this enzyme leaks from the muscle into the blood. CPK isoenzymes serum is a blood test that measures the level of  CPK from different muscle sources in the blood. It thus helps to identify the exact source of muscle damage.

Overview

CPK stands for Creatinine phosphokinase. It is an enzyme that helps in the muscular function of the body. Enzymes are proteins that help cells in performing their functions. When the brain, lungs, intestines, uterus, heart, or skeletal muscles get damaged, CPK isoenzymes get released into the bloodstream. Thus, a CPK Isoenzyme serum test can help detect damage in these tissues. Here is all you need to know about the test.

There are three types of CPK Isoenzymes -

• CPK 1 (CPK-BB) enzyme is present in the brain, intestines, uterus, and lungs
• CPK 2 (CPK-MB) enzyme is present in the heart
• CPK 3 (CPK-MM) enzyme is present in the skeletal muscle and heart

The CPK Isoenzymes Test measures the levels of these three isoenzymes to detect damage in the heart, brain, muscle, or skeletal muscle.

A CPK Isoenzymes test is done to:

• Measure the levels of CPK isoenzymes in your blood

• Diagnose a heart attack

• Determine how severely a muscle is damaged

• Evaluate the causative factor of chest pain

• Detect any muscular disease such as polymyositis, malignant hyperthermia, or dermatomyositis

• Check if there has been any injury or stress to the muscle, skeletal muscle, tissue, heart, or brain

• Detect muscular dystrophy

• Monitor muscular injury

Your doctor may advise you to go for a CPK Isoenzymes test if you have the following symptoms:

• Fever with chills
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unexplained exhaustion
• Pain
• Headache
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Unexplained weight loss
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Muscular stiffness
• Muscular soreness and weakness

Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs