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Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential in Parkinson's disease
Paul M A Antony1, Olga Boyd1, Christophe Trefois1
1Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|February 3, 2015
Summary
Mitochondrial membrane potential in platelets is intact in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients, suggesting compensable mitochondrial function. Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential is not a reliable diagnostic biomarker for IPD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key feature of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).
- Previous studies on peripheral tissues yielded conflicting data on mitochondrial function in IPD.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential serves as an integrative measure of mitochondrial health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mitochondrial membrane potential in platelets of IPD patients.
- To assess the utility of platelet mitochondrial membrane potential as a diagnostic biomarker for IPD.
Main Methods:
- Live platelets were isolated from 25 IPD patients and 16 healthy controls.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using flow cytometry.
- Platelets were challenged with a protonophore agent to assess functional response.
Main Results:
- Functional mitochondrial membrane potential was present in all participants.
- The protonophore challenge reduced membrane potential in both IPD patients and controls.
- No significant difference in response to the challenge was observed between IPD patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential is intact in IPD, indicating compensable mitochondrial function in this cell type.
- Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential is not a suitable diagnostic biomarker for non-stratified IPD.
- Further research is warranted in specific Parkinson's disease subtypes and tissues with higher energy demands.
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