Mitochondrion

Mitochondria are organelles found in all cells that have a nucleus. In the human body, that would be all cells except red blood cells. They generate most of a cell's energy via the manufacturing of adenosine triphosphate, ATP. Mitochondria have their own independent genome called mitochondrial DNA.

In human disease
Viruses can induce or inhibit mitochondrial processes so that the viruses can replicate and produce their progeny. "Viruses like Herpes simplex virus 1 deplete the host mitochondrial DNA and some, like human immunodeficiency virus, hijack the host mitochondrial proteins to function fully inside the host cell."

Mitochondrial disease has a high prevalence of fatigue and debilitation.

Chronic fatigue syndrome
There is evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. Muscle biopsies have shown evidence of mitochondrial degeneration, deletions of mitochondrial DNA , the reduction of mitochondrial activity , and Sarah Myhill found measurable mitochondrial dysfunction correlating with severity of illness. Mitochondrial DNA variants correlate with symptoms, symptom clusters & symptom severity.

Mitochondrial disorders can be mistaken for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

There is evidence of genetic risk factors for mitochondrial dysfunction, in related diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and dysautonomia.

ME/CFS Research
In March 2016, it was announced that the ME/CFS Severely Ill, Big Data Study had a significant result in the area of mitochondria. This resulted in the addition of Robert Naviaux (a mitochondrial expert) to the research team.

Potential treatment
Garth Nicolson has proposed that mitochondrial lipid replacement therapy can ameliorate mitochondrial related fatigue using a proprietary blend of phospholipids called NT Factor.

Courtney Craig has proposed treatment of mitochondrial damage in ME/CFS patients using fasting, caloric restriction and a ketogenic diet.

Notable studies

 * 2016, Pharmacological NAD-Boosting Strategies Improve Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Human Complex I-Mutant Fibroblasts

Learn more

 * Wikipedia - Mitochondrion
 * ME Association to fund fourth study into the role of the mitochondria in ME/CFS (ME Association)
 * CFS - The Central Cause - Mitochondrial Failure (Sarah Myhill)