[Mitochondrial disorder secondary to inflammation in polymyositis. Two cases]

Two cases of polymyositis were followed using phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectra recorded during remission were normal, but those collected from the gastrocnemius muscle during the active phase of the diseases showed an increased inorganic phosphate level or a decreased phosphocreatine content. The intracellular pH was normal. These findings may be related to an impairement in mitochondrial metabolism secondary to the inflammatory process. Moreover, the fact that the abnormalities observed disappeared after treatment suggests that phosphorus NMR spectroscopy could be used as a non-invasive method in the follow-up of polymyositis, but this must be confirmed by further studies.