Rhabdomyolysis News and Research

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Rhabdomyolysis (often shortened to simply "rhabdo") is the rapid breakdown (''lysis'') of skeletal muscle (''rhabdomyo'') due to injury to muscle tissue.

Statins may trigger muscle side effects by activating inflammatory danger signals

An experimental study in Science Advances shows that statins, primarily fluvastatin in these experiments, may promote low-level muscle myopathy by reducing isoprenoid-dependent protein prenylation rather than by cholesterol lowering. In primed muscle cells and mouse models, impaired YAP signaling, reduced glycolysis, NLRP3/caspase-1 activation, and nuclear FOXO accumulation increased atrogin-1, reduced protein synthesis, and weakened muscle function.

22 Jun 2026

Most statin side effects are not backed by trials

Research indicates that many statin therapy side effects are not supported by evidence, suggesting a need for revised labeling to improve treatment decisions.

9 Feb 2026

This test can see a heart attack in your future

A long list of Lynda Hollander's paternal relatives had heart disease, and several had undergone major surgeries. So when she hit her mid-50s and saw her cholesterol levels creeping up after menopause, she said, "I didn't want to take a chance."

1 Aug 2025

New discovery sheds light on energy crisis in children with TANGO2 deficiency

Researchers studying a protein linked to a rare, severe disease have made a discovery that sheds light on how cells meet their energy needs during a severe metabolic crisis.

28 Feb 2025

Study finds no evidence linking sickle cell trait to sudden death

A systematic literature review found no evidence to support that physical exertion without rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) or heat injury can cause sudden death for individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT), nor is there any high-level evidence that SCT causes acute pain crises.

31 Jan 2025

Prolonged sauna exposure without adequate hydration linked to heat stroke risk

Basking too long in a sauna may put bathers at risk of heat stroke, particularly if they haven't drunk enough water beforehand, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after treating a woman whose condition required admission to hospital.

7 Jan 2025

The effects and mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system

Researchers reviewed the neurologic manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2.

30 Jun 2022

The autoantibody profile in COVID-19 patients with MIS-C

A new study assessed the presence of autoantibodies against autoantigens associated with known autoimmune diseases in patients with COVID-19.

10 Nov 2021

UPMC expert finds successful treatment for rare diseases diagnosed by newborn screenings

1It was a nagging mystery: A rare-disease expert at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh had found a successful treatment for two of the deadliest symptoms of one of the more common classes of rare diseases diagnosed by newborn screenings, but one symptom--painful episodes of muscle breakdown that land victims in intensive care--persisted.

29 Jun 2021

Low potassium levels in COVID-19 disease

Now a new study by an Italian team of researchers published in June 2020 on the preprint server medRxiv reports that potassium levels are often low in COVID-19 disease, mostly due to the urinary loss of potassium.

17 Jun 2020

New computer model predicts suicide risk

Suicide is now the second most common cause of death among American youth. Fatal suicides rose 30 percent between 2000 and 2016, and 2016 alone saw 1.3 million nonfatal suicide attempts.

25 Apr 2020

Researchers visualize first structure of key enzyme that helps make triglycerides

The first structure of a lipin enzyme, which carries out an important step in the production of triglycerides, the main reservoir for long-term energy storage, will help scientists to better understand how lipins regulate the production of triglycerides.

11 Mar 2020

Rushing into intense exercise after a break can cause “rhabdo”, potentially leading to kidney injury

New evidence is coming to light warning people from rushing too quickly into intense exercise.

27 Jan 2020

Alzheimer's drug associated with two-fold higher risk of hospitalization for rhabdomyolysis

A drug commonly used to manage symptoms of Alzheimer disease and other dementias -- donepezil -- is associated with a two-fold higher risk of hospital admission for rhabdomyolysis, a painful condition of muscle breakdown, compared with several other cholinesterase inhibitors, found a study in CMAJ.

16 Sep 2019

Burns and electrocution risk increased with generic phone chargers, says review

A recent case report in the Annals of Emergency Medicine revealed the potential risk of serious burns and electrocution with the use of generic phone chargers compared to branded ones, as shown by several analyses.

26 Jul 2019

Researchers identify previously unknown autoimmune disease involving muscle pain, weakness

A previously unknown autoimmune muscle disease involving sudden onset of debilitating muscle pain and weakness has been identified by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

3 Jun 2019

Statins associated with low risk of side effects

The cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins have demonstrated substantial benefits in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots (ischemic strokes) in at-risk patients.

10 Dec 2018

Study reveals safety, efficacy of brexpiprazole for schizophrenia patients with severe psychotic symptoms

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and H. Lundbeck A/S announced study results on the safety and efficacy of brexpiprazole in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia experiencing severe psychotic symptoms during an acute episode. The data will be presented at the upcoming Psych Congress, held in Orlando from October 25-28, 2018.

26 Oct 2018

Combination of Opdivo and Yervoy shows four-year survival benefits in patients with advanced melanoma

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced four-year data from the Phase 3 CheckMate -067 clinical trial - the longest follow-up to date - which continues to demonstrate durable, long-term survival benefits with the first-line combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab), versus Yervoy alone, in patients with advanced melanoma.

22 Oct 2018

Novartis' new drug combination receives positive CHMP opinion for treating stage III BRAF mutant melanoma

Novartis today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Tafinlar® in combination with Mekinist® for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with stage III melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation, following complete resection.

27 Jul 2018