Mitochondria turn food into energy for the body. But if they start to malfunction, free radicals can flood the cell, and a number of health problems might arise. Read about the symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction and the diseases linked to it. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Properly functioning mitochondria are central to health, as they are the main energy provider of the cell. However, reactive oxidative species produced by mitochondria accumulate over time, and oxidative stress leads to age-related diseases<\/strong>. Due to the vast role of mitochondria in the cell, mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to hundreds of diseases <\/strong>[R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, a number of metabolic disorders are associated with genetic mutations<\/strong> in either mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. These mutations may be inherited or occur randomly [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that while mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed in or linked to these conditions, it is not necessarily the cause (or even a<\/em> cause). As such, strategies intended to improve mitochondrial function may or may not help manage these diseases. When in doubt, your doctor can help you understand the role of the mitochondria in your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cancer cells require mitochondria to power the growth of tumors. Cancer cells tend to have an increased number of mitochondria to provide this energy. The mitochondrial increase is mediated independently by different transcription factors or proteins that initiate the production of specific genes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, cancer cells increase the turnover of mitochondria that have accumulated free radicals. Oxidative stress is increased in cancer cells, which<\/strong> damages the surrounding tissue [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the hallmarks of cancer is the ability of the cell to avoid programmed cell death <\/strong>(apoptosis<\/strong>). Normally, the mitochondria of healthy cells would trigger this process if the cell was replicating too much or too quickly. However, in cancer cells, programmed cell death is avoided by increasing the destruction of mitochondria that have accumulated free radicals. They also turn on antioxidant pathways so that oxidative stress does not trigger cell death [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mitochondria of cancer cells have lower levels of proteins that promote cell death (BAX<\/a>\/BAK) and\/or higher levels of proteins that prevent cell death (BCL-2<\/a>\/BCL-XL) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The network of mitochondria in cancer cells is also different. Cancer cells have more fragmented mitochondria<\/strong> (by increasing mitochondrial division and decreasing fusion) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cancer cells also produce energy differently through a process known as the Warburg effect<\/strong>. Energy production is largely done without oxygen (anaerobically), via glycolysis. This may be caused by turning down mitochondrial function to avoid apoptosis [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aerobic respiration through the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation still occur in cancer cells but to a lesser degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mitochondrial dysfunction is a large cause of age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s, ALS, and Parkinson\u2019s disease. The accumulation of free radicals with age results in DNA and protein damage<\/strong>. Mitochondria accumulate defective proteins<\/strong> that cause loss of energy production and ultimately cell death [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mitochondria have been observed to behave differently (to be dysfunctional) in specific neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Improper mitochondrial function has been seen in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Aside from having a lack of glucose for respiration, the network and shape<\/strong> of mitochondria in the cells of diabetic patients may be abnormal [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In diabetic patients, the mitochondria are broken up into small fragmented networks (increased division, decreased fusion) throughout the cell. This has been observed in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in cells, reducing the amount of glucose available for respiration. This decreases ATP production and thus the energy available to the cell [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is unknown whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a cause of insulin resistance or a symptom of it. Some researchers have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a cause of insulin resistance<\/strong>, rather than a symptom [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patients with type 2 diabetes have reduced levels of mitochondrial proteins responsible for energy production [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n1) Cancer Research<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2) Neurodegenerative Diseases<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Parkinson\u2019s Disease<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3) Diabetes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n