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MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES The mitochondrion is the energy manufacturer of the cell. It is equivalent to the engine of a car. These tiny biological machines combine the food we eat with oxygen to produce energy to keep our bodies going. The energy produced by the mitochondria is stored in the form of a chemical called Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The mitochondria is involved in making of steroid hormones and DNA. Each cell in the body contains an average of five hundred, to two thousand mitochondria. When they are dysfunctional, the body can develop “energy crisis” in the muscles, tissues, brain and the heart. Examples of the mitochondria diseases include: 1) AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS: Autoimmune hepatitis is a type of chronic active hepatitis. It is caused by cellular immune reactions. A variety of circulating autoantibodies can be found in the blood og patients with chronic active hepatitis. Other autoimmune diseases are thyroiditis diabetes mellitus and ulcerative colitis. Its complications are liver cell failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and it is a disease rare in children. SYMTOMS: The symptoms for autoimmune hepatitis include dark urine, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal distention, and generalized itching and also absence of menstruation. SIGNS AND TESTS: Liver biopsy shows chronic active hepatitis. Abnormal liver function tests. PREVENTION: Prevention of this disorder may not be possible. Awareness of risk factors may allow early detection and treatment. TREATMENT: Prednisone or other corticoseriods help reduce the inflammation. Azathioprine or mercaptopurines are drugs usually used to treat immune disorders. Activity should be modified according to the symptoms. In addition, a well balanced diet promotes healing. 2) PARKINSON’S DISEASE Parkinson’s disease occurs when certain nerve cells or neurons in an area of the brain become impaired. It belongs to a group of conditions ...

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MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES. (1969, December 31). In Retrieved 09:35, October 31, 2014, from