Electron-Microscopic Investigation of Muscle Mitochondria in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 1995, Plioplys & Plioplys

[jnmaciuch]

Electron-Microscopic Investigation of Muscle Mitochondria in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome​

Audrius V. Plioplys; Sigita Plioplys

Abstract

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) suffer from disabling physical and mental fatigue. Abnormalities in mitochondrial function can lead to fatigue and weakness. Ultrastructural mitochondrial abnormalities have been reported to be present in CFS patients. We obtained percutaneous needle muscle biopsies from 15 CFS patients and 15 age- and sex-matched controls. We investigated previously reported ultrastructural abnormalities in CFS: subsarcolemmal mitochondrial aggregates, intermyofibrillar mitochondrial aggregates, mitochondrial circumference, area, pleomorphism and the presence of compartmentalization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. All of the steps of tissue processing, electron microscopy and data abstracting and analysis were performed in a totally blinded fashion. All of our data were rigorously quantified. We found no difference in any of these studied parameters between CFS patients and controls. Although there is no ultrastructural mitochondrial abnormality in CFS patients, other lines of evidence suggest the presence of a possible functional mitochondrial abnormality.

Link (paywalled) | PDF (sci-hub)

 

[jnmaciuch]

A direct follow up to Behan et al. 1991 (thread here). Participants met CDC criteria with median illness duration 4 years (minimum 8 months). Participants were also screened under direction of Leonard Jason.

As stated in the abstract, they found no statistically significant differences in any of the mitochondrial features assessed. In the discussion they basically suggest that the Behan et al. findings were a fluke

Perhaps several difficulties associated with interpreting the previously reported results [8-11] lie in the lack of rigorous quantification of data and the lack of blinded
data abstracting and analysis. It is only recently that this group has started to quantify their results [W.M.H. Behan, pers. commun., September 1994].

The text doesn't mention any assessments for vacuolization.

Also, an interesting note from the introduction indicating that heterogeneity of mitochondrial morphology is common in other diseases

Patients with mitochondrial myopathies showed various abnormalities including increased number and size of mitochondria, pleomorphism, compartmentalization, zigzag cristae and crystalline inclusions.

There's no citation--it's presented as common knowledge though I'm not in a position to judge that.

 

[wigglethemouse]

@jnmaciuch
There are some more studies listed here

muscle biopsies – American ME and CFS Society

ammes.org

This Stanford study of energy production in PBMC's discusses the finding that ME/CFS cells produced more energy from non-mitochondrial means than control cells. Also looked at mitochondria in detail.

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients - PMC

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease characterized by physical and mental exhaustion. The underlying pathogenesis is unknown, but impairments in certain mitochondrial functions have been found in some CFS patients. To thoroughly ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[jnmaciuch]

@jnmaciuch
There are some more studies listed here

muscle biopsies – American ME and CFS Society

ammes.org

This Stanford study of energy production in PBMC's discusses the finding that ME/CFS cells produced more energy from non-mitochondrial means than control cells. Also looked at mitochondria in detail.

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients - PMC

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease characterized by physical and mental exhaustion. The underlying pathogenesis is unknown, but impairments in certain mitochondrial functions have been found in some CFS patients. To thoroughly ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thanks! The metabolic studies I’m already pretty familiar with and I’ve had some back and forth with the corresponding author of Lawson et al. I think there just aren’t many specifically on mitochondrial morphology, perhaps because this thread’s paper seemed somewhat definitive.

 

[Hutan]

Prusty also did some work on mitochondrial morphology, there was mention of fission, but I don't think there was anything about vacuolisation.