117
some cases, symptomatic treatment can be very effective.30 For example, aerobic exercise
is useful in mitochondrial patients, improving work capacity and delivering oxygen to
muscle tissue. Respiratory therapy can also help. Endocrine problems generally respond
to dietary or pharmacological therapy.
Final Thoughts
For years, science has linked mitochondria to aging. New findings demonstrate that an
accumulation of genetic mutations in mitochondria sets off a cascade of signals that causes
cells to die (apoptosis). The result is loss of irreplaceable cells and progression of aging. A
number of studies of caloric restriction in animals have been shown to retard aging, delay
the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations and reduce apoptosis. When, or if,
scientists learn to improve mitochondrial function and reduce apoptosis in animal models,
there may be a host of pharmaceutical interventions developed to retard aging.31
References
1. Reynolds T, “From small things.” BMJ. 2007 355:747-8.
2. Ibid.
3. Chan DC. “Mitochondrial dynamics in disease.” N Engl J Med. 2007 356 (17):1707-9.
4. Lane N. Power, Sex, Suicide—Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life. New York: Oxford University Press 2005.
5. “Who Discovered the Mitochondria?” Bright Hub website. http://www.Brighthub.com/science/genetics/
articles/26365.aspx. Accessed 21 June 2010.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Luft R. Introduction: the birth of mitochondrial medicine. In: DiMauro S, Hirano M, Schon EA, eds.,
Mitochondrial Medicine. London, UK: Informa Healthcare 2006.
9. Turnbull DM. “Mitochondrial medicine—book review.” N Engl J Med. 2006 355(8):855.
10. Margulis L. “Archeal-eubacterial mergers in the origin of Eukarya: Phylogenic classification of life.” Proc Natl
Acad Sci 1996 93:1071-6.
11. Op cit 4.
12. Wade N: “A coat of many proteins may be this parasite’s downfall.” New York Times. 16 December 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/science/16giar.html. Accessed 16 September 2010.
13. Op cit 4.
14. French ML. The human cell. New York, NY: Kindle Books 2008.
15. Op cit 4.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Op cit 14.
20. Ibid.
21. Op cit 4.
22. United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation website. http://www.umdf.org/site/c.otJVJ7MMIqE/b.5472191/k.
BDB0/Home.htm. Accessed 26 January 2012.
23. DiMauro S and Schon EA. The mitochondrial respiratory chain and its disorders. In: DiMauro S, Hirano M,
Schon EA, eds., Mitochondrial Medicine. London, UK: Informa Healthcare 2006.
24. Ibid.
25. DiMauro S, Schon EA. “Mitochondrial respiratory- chain diseases.” N Engl J Med. 2003 348(26): 2656-68.
26. Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM. “Epidemiology and treatment of mitochondrial disorders.” Am J Med Genet.
2001 106:94-101.
27. Op cit 25.
28. Ibid.
29. DiMauro S et al. “Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies: therapeutic approaches.”Neurol Sci. 2000 21:S901-S908.
30. Op cit 23.
31. Hampton T. “Study reveals mitochondrial role in aging.” JAMA. 2005 294(6):672.
Published in Regulatory Focus, October 2010. Copyright © 2010 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
Mitochondria and Mitrochondrial Diseases—Badly Kept Secrets
some cases, symptomatic treatment can be very effective.30 For example, aerobic exercise
is useful in mitochondrial patients, improving work capacity and delivering oxygen to
muscle tissue. Respiratory therapy can also help. Endocrine problems generally respond
to dietary or pharmacological therapy.
Final Thoughts
For years, science has linked mitochondria to aging. New findings demonstrate that an
accumulation of genetic mutations in mitochondria sets off a cascade of signals that causes
cells to die (apoptosis). The result is loss of irreplaceable cells and progression of aging. A
number of studies of caloric restriction in animals have been shown to retard aging, delay
the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations and reduce apoptosis. When, or if,
scientists learn to improve mitochondrial function and reduce apoptosis in animal models,
there may be a host of pharmaceutical interventions developed to retard aging.31
References
1. Reynolds T, “From small things.” BMJ. 2007 355:747-8.
2. Ibid.
3. Chan DC. “Mitochondrial dynamics in disease.” N Engl J Med. 2007 356 (17):1707-9.
4. Lane N. Power, Sex, Suicide—Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life. New York: Oxford University Press 2005.
5. “Who Discovered the Mitochondria?” Bright Hub website. http://www.Brighthub.com/science/genetics/
articles/26365.aspx. Accessed 21 June 2010.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Luft R. Introduction: the birth of mitochondrial medicine. In: DiMauro S, Hirano M, Schon EA, eds.,
Mitochondrial Medicine. London, UK: Informa Healthcare 2006.
9. Turnbull DM. “Mitochondrial medicine—book review.” N Engl J Med. 2006 355(8):855.
10. Margulis L. “Archeal-eubacterial mergers in the origin of Eukarya: Phylogenic classification of life.” Proc Natl
Acad Sci 1996 93:1071-6.
11. Op cit 4.
12. Wade N: “A coat of many proteins may be this parasite’s downfall.” New York Times. 16 December 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/science/16giar.html. Accessed 16 September 2010.
13. Op cit 4.
14. French ML. The human cell. New York, NY: Kindle Books 2008.
15. Op cit 4.
16. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
18. Ibid.
19. Op cit 14.
20. Ibid.
21. Op cit 4.
22. United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation website. http://www.umdf.org/site/c.otJVJ7MMIqE/b.5472191/k.
BDB0/Home.htm. Accessed 26 January 2012.
23. DiMauro S and Schon EA. The mitochondrial respiratory chain and its disorders. In: DiMauro S, Hirano M,
Schon EA, eds., Mitochondrial Medicine. London, UK: Informa Healthcare 2006.
24. Ibid.
25. DiMauro S, Schon EA. “Mitochondrial respiratory- chain diseases.” N Engl J Med. 2003 348(26): 2656-68.
26. Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM. “Epidemiology and treatment of mitochondrial disorders.” Am J Med Genet.
2001 106:94-101.
27. Op cit 25.
28. Ibid.
29. DiMauro S et al. “Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies: therapeutic approaches.”Neurol Sci. 2000 21:S901-S908.
30. Op cit 23.
31. Hampton T. “Study reveals mitochondrial role in aging.” JAMA. 2005 294(6):672.
Published in Regulatory Focus, October 2010. Copyright © 2010 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
Mitochondria and Mitrochondrial Diseases—Badly Kept Secrets