- Myoglobin is a heme-containing, oxygen-binding protein which is present in the cytoplasm of cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. It serves as a reservoir of oxygen to meet very short-term needs.
- When muscle cell injury occurs through disease, as in myocardial infarction, or through trauma, myoglobin is released into the blood. This usually begins within 2 to 6 hours following muscle tissue damage, peaks in 8 to 12 hours, and returns to a normal level in about 1 day.
- Myoglobin is excreted by the kidneys (myoglobinuria) and is detected in the urine up to 1 week following muscle tissue injury.
Normal values:
- <85 ng/mL (<85 μg/L SI units)
Increased
- Malignant hyperthermia
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myocardial infarction
- Muscle enzyme deficiencies
- Muscle injury
- Polymyositis
- Renal failure
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Seizures
- Severe burns
- Shock
- Surgical procedure
- Trauma
- Vigorous exercise