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The occurrence of paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions in normal human skeletal muscle
Abstract:
Two different types of paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions identical with or very similar to those already described in the literature for a variety of muscle diseases were found in human skeletal muscle biopsies obtained under general anesthesia before ischemia and after various periods of anoxia up to 150 min. As these crystalloids could be observed in seven of 14 healthy subjects and occurred in five of these seven cases either before or only 10 min after onset of ischemia, it is suggested that such mitochondrial inclusions develop not only under the influence of variant noxious stimuli, but may also represent a normal constituent of human skeletal muscle mitochondria.
Insights
Paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions, previously linked to muscle diseases, were found in healthy individuals even before ischemia. These findings suggest mitochondrial inclusions may be a normal component of human skeletal muscle.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Muscle Physiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions are often associated with various muscle diseases.
- These inclusions have been observed in skeletal muscle under different pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and potential origin of paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions in human skeletal muscle.
- To determine if these inclusions are exclusively pathological or can be a normal finding.
Main Methods:
- Human skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from healthy subjects.
- Biopsies were analyzed before and after varying periods of anoxia (up to 150 minutes).
- Light microscopy was used to identify and characterize mitochondrial inclusions.
Main Results:
- Two types of paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions were identified.
- These inclusions were present in 7 out of 14 healthy subjects.
- Inclusions were observed before ischemia or within 10 minutes of its onset in most cases.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial inclusions are not solely indicative of noxious stimuli or disease.
- These findings suggest paracrystalline mitochondrial inclusions may be a normal constituent of human skeletal muscle mitochondria.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the role of these inclusions.