Electrophoresis of creatine kinase isoforms: a highly sensitive fluorescence scanning method

Objective To develop an agarose electrophoretic method for creatine kinase (CK) isoforms, using highly sensitive fluorescence scanning.Methods A discontinuous buffer system was used. Electrophoresis on agarose gel was performed under constant current and low voltage. CK isoforms were separated within 30 minutes and detected by fluorescence scanning.Results There were no significant differences when the activities of CK MM were between 853.0 U/L and 14.0 U/L and those of CK MB between 152.0 U/L and 2.4 U/L. The detection limits of stain method for CK MM and CK MB isoforms were 36.0 U/L and 12.3 U/L, respectively; while those of fluorescence method were 12.0 U/L and 2.1 U/L. The experimental results showed good precision for CK MM isoforms, as well for CK MB isoforms and isoenzymes.Conclusion An agarose electrophoretic method has been developed to measure CK isoenzymes and isoforms clinically. This method is rapid, simple, sensitive, highly reproducible and inexpensive. It is suitable for general laboratories.