[Usefulness of determination of various leukocyte enzymes in progressive muscular dystrophy].

The activity of enzymes participating mainly in oxidative processes taking place in peripheral blood leucocytes was determined: malic dehydrogenase, glycerophosphate oxidase, and mitochondrial ATP-ase. The investigations were carried out in 29 patients with Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy, their 23 mothers, 4 sisters, and in 14 cases of other muscular dystrophies, and 4 patients with spinal muscular atrophy as well as in controls. Changes were found in the activity of these enzymes, particularly malic dehydrogenase in patients with Duchenne type of dystrophy and in some carriers of this disease.