Muscular mitochondrial function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is progressively altered as the disease develops: a temporal study in man

Exp Neurol. 2006 Mar;198(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.07.020. Epub 2005 Aug 29.

Abstract

We performed repeated analysis of mitochondrial respiratory function in skeletal muscle (SM) of patients with early-stage sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) to determine whether mitochondrial function was altered as the disease advanced. SM biopsies were obtained from 7 patients with newly diagnosed SALS, the same 7 patients 3 months later, and 7 sedentary controls. Muscle fibers were permeabilized with saponin, then skinned and placed in an oxygraphic chamber to measure basal and maximal adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated respiration rates and to assess mitochondrial regulation by ADP. We found that the maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity of muscular mitochondria significantly increased, and muscular mitochondrial respiratory complex IV activity significantly decreased as the disease advanced. This temporal study demonstrates for the first time that mitochondrial function in SM in human SALS is progressively altered as the disease develops.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / physiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Exercise Test / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / pathology*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Multienzyme Complexes