Statins provoking MELAS syndrome. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Statins inhibit the production of 2,3-dimethoxy,5-methyl,6-polyisoprene parabenzoquinone also known as ubiquinone or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is required for mitochondrial electron transport. Idiopathic or primary CoQ10 deficiencies have been known to cause mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.


METHODS
We present the case of a patient with mitochondrial syndrome, consisting of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), whose symptoms were temporally related to statin therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Statins may provoke symptoms related to MELAS in susceptible individuals.
Thomas
Joseph E
JE
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn., USA. drjethomas@yahoo.com
Lee
Nora
N
Thompson
Paul D
PD
D000328:Adult; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017241:MELAS Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors