Relative quantification of mitochondrial on nuclear DNA copy number (mtDNA/nDNA) in peripheral blood cells.

<p>Total DNA isolated from whole blood has been quantified by real-time quantitative PCR analysis using the RNAse P as an endogenous control. The PCR data were analyzed by using a comparative Ct method <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0042423#pone.0042423-Pfaffl1" target="_blank">[25]</a> and values are here expressed as the Logarithm of mtDNA/nDNA copy number. Mean value for each group is graphically indicated by a line. The grey area is indicating the range observed in the NR group. The significant differences detected by one-way ANOVA test are indicated in the figure (****p<0.0001; **p<0.01).