OBJECTIVE: To assess serum variations of creatine kinase in an experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum levels of creatine kinase were measured before and 2, 4 and 6 hours after a selective occlusion of vessels in the mesenteric vascular arcades in albine Wistar rats at the Experimental Surgery Department, Instituto de Salud del Niño. RESULTS: Baseline level obtained was 3304 U/L. Serum levels of total creatine kinase varied in the six-hours period, showing a marked increase in the first two hours (mean = 6333 U/L) and slowly decreased by the fourth hour (mean = 5766 U/L) and by the sixth hour (mean = 4284 U/L); although it did not either achieve the baseline values nor decline below it again. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggests that selective occlusion of vessels in the mesenteric vascular arcades during a 6-hours-period, produces changes similar to th...