Creatine kinase (CK) reagents are substances or kits used in laboratory assays to measure the activity of creatine kinase enzymes in biological samples. Creatine kinase is an enzyme found predominantly in tissues with high energy demands, such as skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain tissue. It plays a crucial role in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of cells.
The measurement of creatine kinase activity in biological samples, such as blood or tissue extracts, is important in clinical diagnostics, particularly for assessing muscle damage or injury.
Creatine kinase reagents typically consist of substrates and co-factors necessary for the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by creatine kinase, as well as reagents for the detection of the reaction product. These reagents are usually provided in ready-to-use kits designed to ensure accurate and reproducible measurements of creatine kinase activity. The assays may employ various detection methods, including spectrophotometry, fluorometry, or immunoassays, depending on the specific requirements of the application.