Mitochondrial complex enzyme activities and cytochrome C expression changes in multiple sclerosis

Mol Neurobiol. 2014 Feb;49(1):1-9. doi: 10.1007/s12035-013-8481-z. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Blood platelets have been widely proposed as biomarkers in studies of mitochondrial function and aging-related and neurodegenerative diseases. Defects in mitochondrial function were found not only in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease patients but also in their blood platelets. Similarly, it has also been described in the blood platelet mitochondria of Alzheimer's disease patients. To study mitochondrial aerobic metabolism function and protein expression in platelets of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and control subjects, mitochondrial aconitase, mitochondrial superoxide dismutases 1 and 2 (SOD1 and SOD2), and respiratory complex enzyme activities in platelets of MS patients and control subjects were determined. Likewise, mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial SOD1 and cytochrome c expressions were investigated. Mitochondrial aconitase activity was higher in MS patients than in controls (P < 0.05). A significant increase on all respiratory complex activities in MS patients was observed (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (P < 0.05). Significant changes of cytochrome c and mitochondrial SOD1 expressions were detected (P < 0.05), with a decrease of 44 ± 5 % and an increase of 46 ± 6 %, respectively. Our study reveals that significant changes in mitochondrial aerobic metabolism function and mitochondrial SOD1 and cytochrome c expressions are produced in platelets of MS patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / enzymology
  • Cytochromes c / biosynthesis*
  • Cytochromes c / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis / enzymology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / biosynthesis
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • Cytochromes c
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1