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Overview of methods that determine mitochondrial function in human disease
Eashan Sharma1, Leila Fotooh Abadi2, John Arnaud Kombe Kombe2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function are crucial in disease. New PET imaging methods improve in vivo assessment, but combining techniques is key for understanding mitochondrial dysfunction in human disease.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Biochemistry
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Cellular metabolism is integral to human disease pathogenesis.
- Mitochondria are central to cellular energy production and metabolism.
- Studying mitochondrial function is complex due to methodological variations and biological heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review methods for assessing mitochondrial function.
- To discuss the strengths and limitations of current techniques.
- To explore emerging methods for overcoming existing hurdles.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of cellular bioenergetics.
- Measurement of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels.
- Evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).
- Quantification of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mito-ROS).
- Analysis of mitochondrial enzyme activity.
- Novel radiotracer PET imaging for in vivo assessment.
Main Results:
- Existing methods for determining mitochondrial dysfunction vary in application and interpretation.
- Novel PET imaging offers high specificity for in vivo mitochondrial function assessment.
- Overcoming methodological limitations is essential for clinical relevance.
Conclusions:
- A combination of techniques, including respirometry and MMP assessment, is necessary.
- Comprehensive assessment is vital for understanding mitochondrial function's role in human disease.
- Improved methodologies can establish mitochondrial function as a biomarker for disease severity and prognosis.
