Respiratory chain activity in tissues from patients (MELAS) with a point mutation of the mitochondrial genome [tRNA(Leu(UUR))].

A heteroplasmic point mutation (transition A to G at position 3243 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene is indicative for myo-encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Decreased respiratory chain complex activities measured in different tissues from four patients with MELAS syndrome do not correlate with the proportion of mutated mitochondrial genome.

Mutations of the mitochondrial DNA: the contribution of DNA techniques to the diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

We performed restriction analysis and Southern blotting of the muscle mitochondrial DNA from 34 patients suffering from different myopathies. In 13/21 patients with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia the muscle mitochondrial DNA was shown to be heteroplasmic. Further mapping by use of several restriction enzymes yielded large deletions in muscles from 10/13 chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia patients.

Serum carnitine during valproic acid therapy.

This study was initiated to examine the influence of valproic acid (VPA) on serum carnitine, as well as the possible etiological role of carnitine in VPA-induced fatal hepatotoxicity. Free, total, and short-chain acylcarnitine were measured in the serum of 21 pediatric patients receiving VPA therapy, 21 healthy matched controls, and 21 patients receiving various antiepileptic drugs other than VPA. The free carnitine level was lowest in the VPA group (p less than 0.

Activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by insulin in isolated brown fat cells.

Isolated fat cells from rat brown adipose tissue in vitro respond to insulin with an increase of pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.