What is significance of High CPK Test & its Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

CPK is creatine phosphokinase. It is an enzyme that is released from increased muscle contraction and then enters in peripheral blood especially in a muscular disorder. The highest levels of this enzyme are noticed in active polymyositis and also in the severe forms of muscular dystrophy. Widespread denervation may cause modest enzyme elevations. CPK which is also known as CK or creatine  kinase catalyses the conversion of  creatinine and consumes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to make phospho creatine (PCr) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). In easy words it can be understood that creatinine kinase is an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of phospho creatine which is the energy reservoir for regeneration of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). In today’s article we will discuss in detail about the significance of raised CPK and how we can normalise it with the ayurvedic herbal formulations

Introduction

Creatine phosphokinase is very important because it indicates the process of capability. Process capability is the comparison between output of an in control process (like muscle contraction) to the specified limits. Initially it is the prediction of the ability of a process to meet the specified limits. In muscular dystrophy or in muscle related disorders a specific isozyme of creatine phosphokinase is tested for its values. CPK is elevated during a heart attack, in muscular diseases, in brain related disorders and also in lung diseases. There are basically three isozymes that represent the brain, lungs, skeletal muscles and cardiac muscles. In this article we will discuss the specific reasons for the elevation of CPK and also about its ayurvedic management.

Isozymes

These are the enzymes that catalyze the same reaction. These isozymes do not have the same physical properties due to the genetically determined differences in amino acid sequence. These isozymes may contain different numbers of charged amino acids and may therefore be separated from each other by the process of electrophoresis. The pattern of isoenzymes found in the plasma may therefore serve as a means of identifying the site of tissue damage.

CK Isoenzymes

In the cells the cytosolic CK enzyme consists of two subunits, which can be either B type that is brain type or M type that is muscle type. So following are the three different isoenzymes of creatine kinase:

• CK1=CK-BB= Brain type
• CK2=CK-MB= Cardiac type
• CK3= CK-MM= Muscle type

Skeletal muscle expresses CK-MM (98%) and low levels of CK-MB (1%)

Cardiac muscle expresses CK-MM at 70% and CK-MB at 25-30%.

CK-BB is expressed in all tissues at low levels and is not clinically that much relevant.

Significance of Elevated CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase) OR CK (Creatine Kinase) Levels

CPK-1 or CK-1

It is predominantly present in the brain and lungs. The elevated levels indicate:

1. Brain injury that can be the result of a stroke or bleeding in the brain
2. A seizure or brain cancer or brain tumor
3. Pulmonary infarction, damage to lung tissues, lung cancer
4. Meningitis
5. Severe shock
6. Abnormal cell growth

CPK-2 or CK-2

This isozyme typically belongs to heart and its elevation represents the following:

1. Injury to heart due to an accident or sudden attack
2. Heart muscle inflammation due to infection
3. Due to an electrical injury
4. In case of heart attack (peaks till 24 hours and then falls within 48 hours)
5. After open heart surgery
6. Heart defibrillation
7. Endo myocardial biopsy
8. Left ventricular hypertrophy
9. Coronary artery disease

CPK-3 or CK-3

This type is found in skeletal muscles. It rises when your muscles have any injury like in crush injuries (when a body part is squeezed between two heavy objects), immobility of muscles for a long time (paralysis), muscle damage due to drug abuse (like in athletes who are using steroids to boost their therapy), inflammation, muscle dystrophy, muscle trauma like due to burn or after surgery and seizures.

Ayurvedic Management in Elevated CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase)

CPK-1

This isozyme is elevated in case of brain and lung disorders. Brain disorders in Ayurveda are usually believed to be the result of vata and avrana of various dhatu and tridosha on each other. Thus such diseases are described in the chapter vata vyadhi and so does their treatment.

In treatment of vata vyadhi the treatment is done in two ways

1. Shodhan chikitsa
2. Shaman chikitsa

1. Shodhan Chikitsa

This type of chikitsa use sneha karma, sweden karma, purgation therapy also called as virechana therapy, basti karma, rasayan karma (helps in the rejuvenation of body), nasaya and dhumapana can also be done. In case of aavaran it should be kept in mind that the vridhi of aavaran is not acceptable. So the treatment is chosen accordingly.

2. Shaman Chikitsa

Shaman chikitsa includes use of various formulations like vatagajankush rasa, vatchintamani rasa, Dashamoola ghrita, bala taila and many more. If we talk about the respiratory system disorders or lung diseases then the elevated CPK levels is result of underlying disease. In ayurveda the respiratory diseases are kept under prana veh strotas. The samanya chikitsa of prana veh strotas include tikshana snehapana, vamana, nasya, snehana and swedana. The administration of some formulations like arogyavardhini vati, shwas kuthar rasa and many more can be used.

CPK-2

CPK-2 represents diseases related to the heart. In ayurveda it is called as hridroga kept under prana veh srotas vyadhi. The general siddhanta in ayurveda for the management of hridroga includes nidan parivarjan (avoiding the causes of disease), mental and physical rest, total change in diet and lifestyle. Different therapies like snehana, vamana, virechana and use of internal or shamak medication are also used. In heart disorders arjuna and its formulations are the best.

CPK-3

In case of muscle related elevation of CPK, external snehana, swedana and sometimes even basti is recommended. Using internal medication like kaishore guggul is also very helpful.

Above mentioned are the classical ayurvedic ways in which can help in reducing elevated creatine phosphokinase levels by managing the cause of the condition. In case of emergency cases a person can opt for emergency management but in later stages or before the onset of emergency ayurvedic ways of treatment can help in many ways. Ayurveda is not a treatment, it is a lifestyle. It can be included in the lifestyle as a necessity.

Herbal Medicines Provided By Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a leading herbal manufacturing firm that deals with formulating herbs and provides very effective medications. These medications are very potential and help in managing many conditions. The formulations made are totally herbal and cause no side effects. The products manufactured are either classical ayurvedic formulation or are the formulations which are prepared under the guidance of expert doctors. The whole manufacturing unit works under the supervision of expert doctors so as to avoid any kind of compromise in the quality of products. The products that are being offered by planet Ayurveda for bringing down elevated CPK levels are as follows:

1. Arjuna Capsules
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Neurogin capsules
4. Kaishore guggul
5. Navkarshik churan

Products Description

1. Arjuna Capsules

This herbal formulation is prepared using standardized extract of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) which  have various medicinal properties like antioxidant, anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial. It helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases. Arjuna is also known to strengthen and tone cardiac muscles and the heart for its proper functioning. It also acts as an anti hypertensive and reduces chances of stroke.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

This formulation contains two ingredients, one is Boswellia serrata and curcuma longa. These both herbs have a pack of properties that include antimicrobial, anti bacterial, analgesic and also can be used in brain tissue injury. Both the drugs help in reducing damage caused by free radicals by behaving as an antioxidant.

Dosage: one capsule twice a day after meals.

3. Neurogin Capsules

This is a poly herbal formulation which is prepared using the herbs named brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).These capsules are very helpful in nervous damage and biotin deficiency. These herbs acts as medhya (Nervine tonic) and strengthen the CNS

Dosage: One capsule twice a day after meals.

4. Kaishore Guggul

This is a classical herbal formulation prepared using guggul (commiphora mukul), guduchi (tinospora cordifolia) etc that helps in dealing with inflammatory conditions. It also assists in the purification of blood and helps in removing toxins from the body. It acts as an antioxidant and also acts as an analgesic. It can be used in breathlessness due to respiratory disorders.

Dosage: Two tablets twice a day after meals.

5. Navkarshik Churan

This herbal formulation is in powdered blend form. It comprises herbs named vacha (Acorus calamus), neem (Azadirachta indica), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), triphala. This behaves as an immune modulator and thus helps in improving immunity. The daruhaldi in this formulation acts as an anti inflammatory herb. This also detoxifies blood and helps in management of vitiated pitta.

Dosage: One teaspoon twice a day after meals.

Conclusion

Normal CPK levels are very much important for the body in order to work properly. The elevated CPK levels depict tissue damage and also the increased working of the specified organ or muscle group. In case of cardiac muscle involvement the CPK test is being replaced by Troponin test. But in the other two, this test still remains of great importance. The products offered by the planet Ayurveda for the management of elevated levels of CPK not only maintain it but also help in managing the associated condition so as to avoid any further complication. In case of any query kindly visit www.planetayurveda.com