Age-Related Variations of Serum CK and CK MB Response in Females

Abstract

The objective was to determine whether serum creatine kinase (CK) and serum CK MB activity following exercise-induced muscle damage activity differs among females of varying menarchial status and to determine whether there is a relationship between serum estradiol (E2) concentration, CK, and CK MB activity. Fifteen menarchial (M), 15 premenarchial (P), and 10 postmenopausal (PM) females participated in the study. Exercise consisted of eccentric hamstring contractions. Estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in M women (p =.0001; M, 125.0 +/- 20.8 pg/mL, P, 54.6 +/- 38.6 pg/mL, PM, 46.2 +/- 34.6 pg/mL). Menarchial women had lower resting CK and CK MB activity and responded with a higher efflux of CK and CK MB post exercise (p =.0001). An inverse relationship was found between E2 concentration and baseline CK (p =.02) and CK MB activity (p =. 006). No relationship existed between post exercise efflux of CK and CK MB and E2 concentration. At rest, E2 influenced CK and CK MB activity across menarchial levels. However, E2 did not significantly reduce the level of CK and CK MB activity following this intense bout of eccentric exercise.

Serum Creatine Kinase Activity Varies with Ovulatory Status in Regularly Exercising, Premenopausal Women

“…However, as other investigators have also reported exercise-induced increases in serum CK activity in groups with less than 3 menstrual cycles per year relative to eumenorrheic exercisers [15], it is not unreasonable to think there may be an interactive effect of exercise and hormone status on serum CK activity. Thus, the data presented here are consistent with the finding that CK varies inversely with estrogen levels across menarcheal levels at rest [14], after exercise [15], and corroborate the animal literature on the protective effects of estrogen on the muscle membrane, thereby reducing serum CK activity [40]. Evidence also exists that ovarian steroids increase exercise-induced CK clearance, decreasing serum CK activity [11], perhaps through the modulation of immune cells.…”

“…Consistent with this evidence, pregnancy is associated with decreased basal serum CK activity, a phenomenon attributed to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, and the low estrogen levels found in postmenopausal and premenarcheal subjects at rest correspond to high serum CK activity [14, 17]. Lower serum CK activity has also been reported in women relative to their male counterparts at baseline [9, 18, 19], after both low and high intensity exercise [18], after eccentric exercise [19], after 2 h of level running [13] and after a marathon [9].…”

“…At rest, premenarcheal and postmenopausal women who both exist in a deficient estrogen and progesterone environment demonstrate higher basal serum CK activity than menstruating sedentary control subjects [14]. Similarly, sedentary menstruating control subjects and amenorrheic athletes have also been shown to have higher serum CK activity compared to eumenorrheic athletes [15].…”

Effects of training on resting plasma levels of homocysteine and C-reactive protein in competitive male and female wrestlers

“…The activity of creatine kinase is low under resting conditions and lower in women than in men due to protective action of estrogens on cell membranes [2]. That activity may dramatically increase following a strenuous exercise and physical training may induce persistently elevated activity of that enzyme [16].…”

17β-estradiol attenuates exercise-induced neutrophil infiltration in men

“…Although serum activity levels of the muscle protein creatine kinase (CK) are generally lower in women at rest (6), after exercise they can either remain lower (56,63) or increase to levels similar to those found in men (26,59). With responses that can be attenuated (62), equal (63), or greater (44) in women, a consistent sex difference in exercise-induced inflammation has also not been determined.…”