Myoglobinuria

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Myoglobinuria
RhabdoUrine.JPG
Urine from a person with rhabdomyolysis showing the characteristic brown discoloration as a result of myoglobinuria
Specialty Nephrology

Myoglobinuria is the presence of myoglobin in the urine, which usually results from rhabdomyolysis or muscle injury. [1] Myoglobin is present in muscle cells as a reserve of oxygen.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of myoglobinuria are usually nonspecific and needs some clinical prudence. Therefore, among the possible signs and symptoms to look for would be: [2]

Causes

Model of helical domains in myoglobin. Myoglobin.png
Model of helical domains in myoglobin.

Trauma, vascular problems, malignant hyperthermia, certain drugs and other situations can destroy or damage the muscle, releasing myoglobin to the circulation and thus to the kidneys. Under ideal situations myoglobin will be filtered and excreted with the urine, but if too much myoglobin is released into the circulation or in case of kidney problems, it can occlude the kidneys' filtration system leading to acute tubular necrosis and acute kidney injury.

Other causes of myoglobinuria include:

Pathophysiology

Myoglobinuria pathophysiology consists of a series of metabolic actions in which damage to muscle cells affect calcium mechanisms, thereby increasing free ionized calcium in the cytoplasm of the myocytes (concurrently decreasing free ionized calcium in the bloodstream). This, in turn, affects several intracellular enzymes that are calcium-dependent, thereby compromising the cell membrane, which in turn causes the release of myoglobin. [4] [5]

Diagnosis

After centrifuging, the urine of myoglobinuria is red, where the urine of hemoglobinuria after centrifuge is pink to clear.

Treatment

Hospitalization and IV hydration should be the first step in any patient suspected of having myoglobinuria or rhabdomyolysis. The goal is to induce a brisk diuresis to prevent myoglobin precipitation and deposition, which can cause acute kidney injury. Mannitol can be added to assist with diuresis. Adding sodium bicarbonate to the IV fluids will cause alkalinization of the urine, believed to reduce the breakdown of myoglobin into its nephrotoxic metabolites, thus preventing renal damage. Often, IV normal saline is all that is needed to induce diuresis and alkalinize the urine.

Epidemiology

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myoglobin</span> Iron and oxygen-binding protein

Myoglobin is an iron- and oxygen-binding protein found in the cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue of vertebrates in general and in almost all mammals. Myoglobin is distantly related to hemoglobin. Compared to hemoglobin, myoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen and does not have cooperative binding with oxygen like hemoglobin does. Myoglobin consists of non-polar amino acids at the core of the globulin, where the heme group is non-covalently bounded with the surrounding polypeptide of myoglobin. In humans, myoglobin is only found in the bloodstream after muscle injury.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhabdomyolysis</span> Human disease (condition) in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly. Symptoms may include muscle pains, weakness, vomiting, and confusion. There may be tea-colored urine or an irregular heartbeat. Some of the muscle breakdown products, such as the protein myoglobin, are harmful to the kidneys and can cause acute kidney injury.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypocalcemia</span> Low calcium levels in ones blood serum

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malignant hyperthermia</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equine exertional rhabdomyolysis</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crush syndrome</span> Medical condition

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Magnesium deficiency is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is a low level of magnesium in the body. It can result in multiple symptoms. Symptoms include tremor, poor coordination, muscle spasms, loss of appetite, personality changes, and nystagmus. Complications may include seizures or cardiac arrest such as from torsade de pointes. Those with low magnesium often have low potassium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renal tubular acidosis</span> Medical condition

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urinary cast</span> Cylindrical protein structure in urine in certain disease states

Urinary casts are microscopic cylindrical structures produced by the kidney and present in the urine in certain disease states. They form in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts of nephrons, then dislodge and pass into the urine, where they can be detected by microscopy.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urine test strip</span> Diagnostic tool used in urinalysis

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Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) is the breakdown of muscle from extreme physical exertion. It is one of many types of rhabdomyolysis that can occur, and because of this, the exact prevalence and incidence are unclear.

References

  1. Prasad Devarajan, MD, FAAP (2020-02-19). "Myoglobinuria: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology". Medscape Reference. Retrieved 2020-07-13. Myoglobinuria is usually the result of rhabdomyolysis or muscle destruction. When excreted into the urine, myoglobin, a monomer containing a heme molecule similar to hemoglobin, can precipitate, causing tubular obstruction and acute kidney injury.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Rhabdomyolysis and Other Causes of Myoglobinuria". Patient. EMIS Group. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  3. Toscano A, Musumeci O (October 2007). "Tarui disease and distal glycogenoses: clinical and genetic update". Acta Myol. 26 (2): 105–7. PMC   2949577 . PMID   18421897.
  4. "Myoglobinuria". eMedicine. Medscare. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  5. Giannoglou, George D.; Chatzizisis, Yiannis S.; Misirli, Gesthimani (2007). "The syndrome of rhabdomyolysis: Pathophysiology and diagnosis". European Journal of Internal Medicine. Elsevier BV. 18 (2): 90–100. doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2006.09.020. ISSN   0953-6205. PMID   17338959.

Further reading