Mitochondrial respiration in human viable platelets--methodology and influence of gender, age and storage.

To access publisher's full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.Studying whole cell preparations with intact mitochondria and respiratory complexes has a clear benefit compared to isolated or disrupted mitochondria due to the dynamic interplay between mitochondria and other cellular compartments. Platelet mitochondria have a potential to serve as a source of human viable mitochondria when studying mitochondrial physiology and pathogenic mechanisms, as well as for the diagnostics of mitochondrial diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a detailed evaluation of platelet mitochondrial respiration using high-resolution respirometry. Further, we aimed to explore the limits of sample size and the impact of storage as well as to establish a wide range of reference data from different pediatric and adult cohorts. Our results indicate that platelet mitochondria are well suited for ex-vivo analysis with the need for minute sample amounts and excellent reproducibility and stability.Swedish Research Council 2011-3470 Royal Physiographic Society Foundation of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare Carl og Ellen Hertz' legat til Dansk laege- og naturvidenskab Lippman foundatio