Postoperative hypermyoglobinemia. Mechanism of occurrence. Predictive value

: The time course of free myoglobin content and the rate of lipid peroxidation were simultaneously studied in cancer patients. The initial concentrations of myoglobin, hydroperoxides and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) were found to be higher than the control values, thus suggesting the increased rate of lipid peroxidation in these patients, which was responsible for destruction of cell membranes. Within the first 24 hours after surgery, there was a drastic release of myoglobin, its levels being sometimes higher in case of a complicated postoperative period than those in its smooth course. The increase in content of MDA was less marked, by reaching its maximum on days 1-2. The postoperative levels of hydroperoxides was considerably decreased, yet it began gradually increasing on day 2. The rather high correlation coefficients between the content of myoglobin and MDA suggest that there is a relationship between hypermyoglobinemia and the state of cell membranes. However, surgical intervention, enhancing lipid peroxidation, concurrently activates the mechanisms aimed at maintaining cell homeostasis.