Thyroxine-induced redistribution of creatine kinase isoenzymes in rat cardiomyocyte cultures

Summary The present study demonstrates a change occurring in the creatine-kinase isoenzyme profile of cardiomyocyte cultures induced by a chronic administration of excessive amounts of thyroid hormones (TH). This change is manifested by an increased level of the CK-BB isoenzyme, generally at the expense of CK-MM isoenzyme. The elevation of CK-BB is probably a result of a specific effect of TH through activation of gene expression, rather than a contribution of an increased number of non-myocardial cells. The implications of these results in the diagnosis of heart failures are discussed.