Abstract

OBJECTIVES--To examine whether the activities of creatine kinase (CK) correlate with neurological disturbances caused by acrylamide. METHODS--The activities of CK and other enzymes reported to be inhibited by acrylamide in the brain and plasma, and landing foot spread (LFS) were measured in mice and rats intoxicated with acrylamide. RESULTS--Activity of CK was suppressed by acrylamide in the brain of mice in parallel with the neurological dysfunction measured by LFS. No clear alterations were found in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, neuron-specific enolase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities over the experimental period (eight days for the exposure and 43 days for the recovery). In rats, among the plasma enzymes examined, suppression of CK activity was most notable, but thyroid activity was not affected. CONCLUSIONS--Among the enzymes so far examined, the CK activities in the brain and blood seem to be the most sensitive indicators of acrylamide intoxication.