Protocol for measuring mitochondrial respiratory capacity from buccal cell swabs

Mitochondrial respirometry provides a detailed assessment of oxygen consumption within the electron transport system, yet methods detailing respiration from non-invasive samples remain limited. Here, we present a protocol for measuring mitochondrial respiration in cultured buccal cells. We outline procedures for buccal cell collection, primary cell culture, and respirometry calibration, followed by oxygen consumption measurements and cell count for data normalization. This protocol allows reliable evaluation of mitochondrial function from non-invasive buccal cell samples, offering a valuable tool for metabolic investigation.