Mitochondrial dysfunction in skin biopsies and blood mononuclear cells from two cases of fibromyalgia patients.
OBJECTIVE
Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) is an essential electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a strong antioxidant. Signs associated with skin alteration and mitochondrial dysfunction have been observed in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of this study was to analyze CoQ(10) levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in plasma, blood mononuclear cells, and skin biopsies from FM patients.


METHODS
We studied CoQ(10) level by HPLC in plasma, blood mononuclear cells, and skin obtained from patients with FM and healthy control subjects. Oxidative stress markers and mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities were analysed in both plasma, blood mononuclear cells, and skin biopsies from FM patients.


RESULTS
Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and CoQ(10) deficiency have been observed in blood mononuclear cells and skin biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
In our patients, mitochondrial dysfunction and CoQ(10) deficiency are present in several tissues. These results may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of FM, and, moreover, CoQ(10) deficiency could represent a good marker for the diagnosis of FM.
Cordero
Mario D
MD
Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CABD, Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, ISCIII, Sevilla, Spain. mdcormor@upo.es
Moreno-Fernández
Ana M
AM
Carmona-López
María I
MI
Sánchez-Alcázar
José Antonio
JA
Rodríguez
Ana Fernández
AF
Navas
Plácido
P
de Miguel
Manuel
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001773:Blood Cells; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis
D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10