Mitochondrial (Mt)Dna Changes in Tissue May Not be Reflected by Depletion of Mtdna in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in HIV-Infected Patients

Abstract

In skeletal muscle, HIV+NRTI+ had a reduced mt/n DNA ratio, more frequent mtDNA deletions and possibly more COX-deficient muscle fibres than HIV-negative controls. However, the mtDNA/cell in peripheral blood was decreased in both HIV+NRTI+ and HIV+ART-naive patients. Thus, mtDNA in peripheral blood may not be a relevant marker of mitochondrial toxicity in organ-specific tissue.