Abstract
We used a standardized bicycle ergometry protocol with a stepwise increasing workload (30–100 W) to evaluate various metabolic factors for the diagnosis and metabolic monitoring of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. All patients (n = 9) showed pathological venous lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratios, which normalized in three patients after 6 months of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) therapy. Thus, the L/P ratio proved to be the clinically most useful parameter in the evaluation and monitoring of mitochondrial diseases, showing higher sensitivity than lactate measurements only. CoQ may exert a favourable effect in some patients with mitochondrial diseases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 15 October 1997 Received in revised form: 6 February 1998 Accepted: 20 March 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chan, A., Reichmann, H., Kögel, A. et al. Metabolic changes in patients with mitochondrial myopathies and effects of coenzyme Q10 therapy. J Neurol 245, 681–685 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150050267
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150050267