MYOGLOBIN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON RHABDOMYOLYSIS WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

Abstract

Immunohistochemical localization of myoglobin (Mb) in muscles and kidneys was examined in three autopsy cases of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. In the skeletal muscles, Mb immunoreactivity was lost in some degenerated fibers which was not expected by routine histological observations. In the kidneys Mb was revealed as fine granules in the epithelial cells of the distal tubules, and as casts in collecting ducts. These findings confirmed that Mb leaked from myolytic fibers was partly reabsorbed, but mostly accumulated as Mb-casts in the collecting duct of the kidney, and caused an acute renal failure. Thus, Mb immunohistochemistry is helpful in identifying the direct process of acute renal failure caused by rhabdomyolysis.