Abstract
Summary
The hereditary polymyopathy and cardiomyopathy of inbred Syrian hamsters (UM X 7.1) are associated with a marked elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and aldolase levels. Fasting (overnight) further increases (+100-500%) the serum concentration of these enzymes in myopathic hamsters; however, no such effect is demonstrable in normal hamsters, or in first generation offspring produced by cross-breeding the two strains (myopathic and normal). The changes are reversible, and the enzyme values return to previous levels within 72 hr. Neither phenobarbital nor hydrocortisone prevents the rises, as shown by CPK determinations; on the contrary, hydrocortisone elicits even greater serum enzyme increases.
This work was supported in part by the Medical Research Council of Canada (MA-4669).
The authors thank the companies listed in the Materials and Methods section for the compounds used in this study.
The competent technical assistance of Mrs. C. Jubert and Miss L. Robitaille, the secretarial help of Miss L. Faulkner, and the editing by Mr. O. M. Da Silva are also gratefully acknowledged.
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