Analysis of biochemical markers in noninvasive assessment of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial health

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a complex of subcellular and molecular disturbances in the structure and function of mitochondria that play a key role in the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, from hereditary mitochondrial syndromes to age-related non-communicable diseases. The study of circulating biomarkers for non-invasive assessment of mitochondrial health is a promising research area in medical biochemistry, preventive medicine, and cardiology. The aim of this review is to systematize the results of current research on circulating non-invasive biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction and assess the potential for their clinical application. The review characterizes specific proteins associated with the structure and function of mitochondria, as well as enzymes and metabolites involved in catabolic pathways. Its analysis is carried out using immunochemistry, enzyme kinetics, and more complex laboratory technologies, including chromatography mass spectrometry. Analysis of serum biomarkers associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and associated metabolic pathways, such as fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1α), neopterin, lactate, pyruvate, and ammonia, may serve as potential diagnostic or prognostic tools for obesity and related diseases, heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension, chronic respiratory failure, and neurodegenerative diseases.