Can a muscular biopsy check for mitochondrial functions?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My brother has done a muscle biopsy. I want to know whether the general functions of the mitochondria have been checked and verified in this muscular biopsy.
In the hospital, they have checked the muscle biopsy, and the results are as follows: ATPases (9.4, 4.63, 4.35), menadione, succinate dehydrogenase, DNPH, phosphorylase, adenylate deaminase, and cytochrome oxidase.
Please advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
The diagnosis of mitochondrial disease was based on the presence of characteristic ragged red fibers (RRF) in more than 2 % of muscle fibers in the muscle biopsy (attachment removed to protect patient identity). RRFs are not pathognomonic of mitochondrial diseases, but can also be seen in other conditions like dystrophies and dermatomyositis. The usual stains used in the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders are:
a) Gomori trichrome stain.
b) Succinate dehydrogenase stain.
c) Cytochrome oxidase.
d) ATPase (4.3, 4.6, 9.4).
I agree that with the list of enzymes provided, mitochondrial pathology has been ruled out.
Kind regards.
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