Hub wrote:.
Cheer -- the article focuses on a breakthrough that occurred at Stanford. Since you're going there in March, I thought you might be interested (if you're persuaded by the line of thought that emphasizes mitochondrial function in MS).
Here's the link:
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Thanks, Hub! Interesting stuff. Looks like the mitochondria are the power source for cells, and that they are part of the endothelium. (Boy, do I wish I'd paid more attention in biology!) My research has focused on the endothelium, because that is the lining of the blood vessels, and I've followed the vascular route- including reducing hypercoagulation & inflammation, and hypertension.
Mitochondria are present in every cell of the body except the red blood cells...which is where the 2 theories might split. Mitochondrial disease would certainly explain the fatigue common to MS patients, since it creates a deficit of energy available to the cells. But I have a hard time understanding how mitochondrial disease would create the activation of the immune system we see in MS, when MD is more a disease of "shutting down" of energy and white blood cells. One interesting corrolary is that nitric oxide balance is important to the mitochondria and endothelium.
Looks like mitochondrial disease can be spotted by checking glutathione and antioxidant levels in the blood. In my way of thinking, mitochondrial disease is another way of labeling oxidative stress, which is a huge component in all disease.
Recently, it has been shown that they are also able to prevent endothelial cell activation by hypoxia and a precise biochemical target common to all of them has been identified: the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Conclusion: The influence of venotropic drugs on the mitochondrial respiratory chain provides a rational explanation for the therapeutic benefit to patients of this class of drugs.
This is from the study you posted on the varicose vein treatment...the drug works by stopping oxygen to the endothelial cells and halting venous damage via the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Have to take their word for it!
The treatment protocol for MD doesn't offer much hope...although it's a great program, once again "there is no cure." I'm holding out for something with a cure!
There are no cures for mitochondrial diseases, but treatment can help reduce symptoms, or delay or prevent the progression of the disease.
Treatment is individualized for each patient, as doctors specializing in metabolic diseases have found that every child and adult is "biochemically different." That means that no two people will respond to a particular treatment in a specific way, even if they have the same disease.
Certain vitamin and enzyme therapies, along with occupational and physical therapy, might be helpful for some patients.
Vitamins and supplements prescribed might include:
Coenzyme Q10
B complex vitamins: thiamine (B 1), riboflavin (B 2), niacin (B 3), B 6, folate, B 12, biotin, pantothenic acid
Vitamin E, lipoic acid, selenium, and other antioxidants
L-carnitine (Carnitor ®)
Intercurrent illness supplement: vitamin C, biotin
Other treatments that might be prescribed include:
Diet therapy, as prescribed by your doctor along with a registered dietitian, might be recommended.
Antioxidant treatments as protective substances are currently being investigated as another potential treatment method.
link
Gotta love the development of molecular medicine...will keep my eye on this research. Thanks, Hub!
AC
Hope I didn't come off as dismissive, because there's alot here, and I probably should have studied more before responding.