Creatine kinase isoenzymes in neonate plasma by cellulose acetate electrophoresis: albumin and adenylate kinase artifacts.

Patterns of creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes were studied in apparently healthy one- to 10-day-old neonates, by use of a sensitive fluorescent staining method with Sclavo CK-F/6001 reagent. Mean activities of CK3 (MM, 105 U/L), CK2 (MB, 6.8 U/L), CK1 (BB, 11 U/L), adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3) anodal to CK3, and a fluorescent albumin artifact were found. Pooled plasma from neonates is recommended as a control because it defines the albumin artifact and approximates the activity of CK2 that must be observed after proper staining before a diagnosis of myocardial infarction can be made.