Massimo Venturelli1*
Federico Ruzzante1Federica Villa1Doriana Rudi1
Cantor Tarperi1
Chiara Milanese1
Valentina Cavedon1
Cristina Fonte1
Alessandro Picelli1
Nicola Smania1
Elisa Calabria1Spiros Skafidas1Stefania Fochi1Maria Grazia Romanelli1Gwenael Layec2
Federico Schena1- 1Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- 2Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
A Commentary on
Commentary: Neuromuscular and Muscle Metabolic Functions in MELAS Before and After Resistance Training: A Case Study
by Finsterer, J. (2019). Front. Physiol. 10:1178. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01178
We thank Dr. Finsterer for his interest in our paper (Venturelli et al., 2019) and for pointing out some clinical factors that could improve the interpretation of the results in this case study. The main concerns expressed in the letter are related to the type of genetic defect and the rates of heteroplasmy of mtDNA (1), the degree of cardiac dysfunction (2), the nutritional status (3), the drugs regularly taken (4), and the cognitive abilities and cooperation of the subject (5) which based on the author's considerations, may need to be accounted for a detailed clinical diagnosis and treatment.
1) Despite the purpose of our investigation was to provide proof of concept that
resistant training is feasible in a clinical population historically excluded from physical rehabilitation programs we have performed some lab tests to better elucidate Dr. Finsterer's queries by focusing on mitochondrial mutations and dys-function.
a) Determination of the most frequent (80%) mutation of mtDNA associated with MELAS [A3243G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNAleu(UUR)]. In order to determine this mtDNA mutation peripheral blood sample (10 mL) was collected in K2 EDTA-vacutainer. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using salting-out procedure. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the mtDNA portion coding for tRNAleu(UUR) was performed using primers forward 5′-GCC TTC CCC CGT AAA TGA TA-3′ and reverse 5′-AGG TTG GCC ATG GGT ATG T-3′, previously described (Vivero et al., 2013). The presence of mtDNA A3243G mutation was verified by directed-DNA sequencing (BMR Genomics) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. ApaI restriction enzyme (New England BioLabs) was used to digest PCR products and equal amounts of samples were then analyzed by electrophoresis through 7% polyacrylamide gels.
More than 80% of patients with MELAS carries the A3243G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNAleu(UUR) gene (Goto et al., 1992). The presence of the A3243G mutation was investigated by direct DNA sequencing and by digestion with ApaI restriction enzyme of the amplified mitochondrial 161-bp PCR product. The presence of A3243G mutation generates an ApaI recognition site that yields two band of 87- and 74-bp fragments after restriction enzyme digestion. Both directed-DNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis did not identify the A3243G mutation (Figures 1A,B).
Figure 1. Determination of the A3243G mutation in the mtDNA portion coding for tRNAleu(UUR). (A) DNA sequencing chromatogram for subject DNA product. The peak labeled with an arrow represented the presence of an adenine (A) in the 3243 region of the mtDNA gene. (B) Restriction enzyme analysis of PCR products. Lane 1,25 bp DNA ladder (Invitrogen); lane 2, normal control DNA product not digested; lane 3, normal control DNA product digested with ApaI; lane 4, patient DNA product not digested; lane 5, patient DNA product digested with ApaI.
b) To analyze mitochondrial function, we used peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs) from the patient and from three age and sex-matched controls. Blood was sampled from the antecubital vein, and PBMC were isolated by centrifugation on density gradients (Karabatsiakis et al., 2014). PBMCs were loaded in the O2K chambers of an Oxygraph-2k (Oroboros Instruments GmbH) for high resolution respirometry (HRR) and a SUIT (Substrate Uncoupler Inhibitor Titration) protocol for permeabilized cells was used for analysis (Doerrier et al., 2018). For the ROUTINE pyruvate (P) 5 mM and malate (M) 0.5 mM were added. Then cells were permeabilized with Digitonin (Dig) (10 mg/mL stock in DMSO) to allow specific substrates to enter the cells. The OXPHOS state was stimulated by adenine diphosphate (ADP) 1 mM to elicit oxidative phosphorylation. Glutamate (G) 10 mM was added to complete cI linked respiration. Succinate (S) was then added 10 mM to induce cII linked respiration (OXPHOS). Next carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP) or uncoupler titrations (0.25 μM per step) were used to reach maximum uncoupled respiration, determining the maximal electron transfer capacity (ETS state). Finally, rotenone (Rot) 0.5 μM was added to inhibit cI, thus ETS sustained by cII activity was evaluated. Lastly Antimycin A 2.5 μM was used to inhibit cIII, and residual oxygen consumption (ROX) was measured. Data were analyzed with DatLab6 software (Oroboros Instruments GmbH) and expressed as flux control ratio (relative to ETS).
The qualitative data of flux control ratios (FCR) expressed relatively to maximal respiratory capacity of the uncoupled electron transfer system (ETS) show that mitochondria from the patient have a different pattern compared to controls. In particular ROUTINE and LEAK respiratory states oxygen consumption resulted significantly higher in mitochondria from the patient than controls (Figures 2A–C). Mitochondrial activity in the OXPHOS state sustained by complex I (pyruvate and malate) is increased by 23% in the patient compared to controls. This picture of mitochondrial dysfunction is accompanied by a decrease of mitochondrial efficiency compared to controls coupling efficiency, expressed as 1-L/E, suggesting that the quality of the link between electron transfer and ATP production is significantly lower in the patient mitochondria (Figure 2D). Higher levels in the ROUTINE and LEAK states, accompanied by lower efficiency in samples from the patient suggest a higher contribute of dissipative oxygen consumption, possibly due to an increased load of oxidative stress. These results are in line with the findings of a recent analysis of protein signature of metabolism and anti-oxidant response in clinically and genetically diagnosed patients with MELAS (Santacatterina et al., 2018). The authors show that the expression levels of some components of the electron transport chain associated to complex I (NADH9) are increased in MELAS patients. Similarly, the expression of ROS scavenging enzymes (SOD1 and SOD2) were changed (SOD1 increased, SOD2 decreased).
Figure 2. Mitochondrial function analyzed in permeabilized PBMCs. Mitochondrial function was analyzed using a substrate inhibitor titration (SUIT) protocol and data of Flux Control Ratio (FCR) relative to ETS are reported for controls (CTRL) and PATIENT. The ROUTINE (A), LEAK (B), OXPHOS cI (PM, C), respiratory states and ETS coupling efficiency (1-L/E, D) were analyzed. Data are represented as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05.
c) In order to determine blood lactate concentration [La−], arterialized blood samples (4 μL) were taken from the earlobe of the patient and 3 healthy controls. The [La−] was determined using a lactate analyzer (Labtrend LT14187; Bio Sensor Technoly GmbH, Berlin, Germany). The results showed that in the patient [La−] was 3.7 mmol/L wile in the controls was 0.7–1.0 mmol/L.
2) In his commentary, Dr. Finsterer, raised some concerns about the use of the pacemaker for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction in this patient, especially regarding potential systolic dysfunction, peripheral veins, and vascular abnormalities and exertional dyspnea as this would influence the “trainability” of the participant. The clinical reason of for the pacemaker implantation was a complete atrioventricular block. As to the influence of cardiovascular dysfunction on the training capacity of our participant, this is actually one of the key advantages of using resistance training rather than endurance exercise. Indeed, resistance training is less taxing on the cardiovascular system thus making this training method particularly suitable for patients with potential cardiac and vascular dysfunctions.
3) The nutritional status of the patient was actually monitored during the study. The amount of food consumed by the patient was ~1,800 kcal per day, with a consumption of carbohydrates corresponding to 55%, 20% of proteins and 25% fats.
4) The drugs regularly taken by the patient were only multivitamin supplements (vitamin B and C) and, above all, no changes were made to supplements during the 12 weeks of resistant training.
5) Dr. Finsterer has suggested that MELAS is characterized by fatigue, exercise intolerance and sleepiness, therefore is accessible only if the patient is highly motivated and willing to follow the instructions of the treating physicians. Certainly, the cognitive function of the patient (in our case study was worse than in healthy controls) but also mood and motivation are key factors for the success of any type of intervention, and even more so with exercise intervention.
Furthermore, we want to emphasize that the support and dedication of the main caregiver to this project was essential to achieve the high frequency rate. Only 5 times it was not possible for the main caregiver to follow the participant for the planned training and consequently they were missed. It is important to note that, this was the only reason for the 5 missing exercise sessions.
Finally, the numerous measurements (biopsies, MRS/I, oxidative stress, ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and anti-oxidative capacity) suggested by Dr. Finsterer are all very interesting and would certainly shed light on the mechanisms underlying the training adaptations in this patient. In fact, in previous studies (Venturelli et al., 2014; Layec et al., 2018; Naro et al., 2019), we have performed such measurements in other populations and larger sample size. However, with such longitudinal project (3 months of training) and the unique challenges associated with the study of such a debilitating disease, we decided to favor its feasibility and to use non-invasive measurements.
In collusion, these results suggest that the patient investigated in this study was affected by MELAS-LIKE disease or a MELAS with different mutations rather than the A3243G. For this reason, in the original paper the term MELAS will be changed with MELAS-LIKE disease. Moreover, a limitation section will be amended to our paper (Venturelli et al., 2019) including these additional clinical data.
Author Contributions
All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: MELAS, resistance training, mitocondrial function, force, muscle mass, exercise
Citation: Venturelli M, Ruzzante F, Villa F, Rudi D, Tarperi C, Milanese C, Cavedon V, Fonte C, Picelli A, Smania N, Calabria E, Skafidas S, Fochi S, Romanelli MG, Layec G and Schena F (2020) Response: Commentary: Neuromuscular and Muscle Metabolic Functions in MELAS Before and After Resistance Training: A Case Study. Front. Physiol. 11:337. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00337
Received: 25 September 2019; Accepted: 23 March 2020;
Published: 15 April 2020.
Edited by:
Sergej Ostojic, University of Novi Sad, SerbiaReviewed by:
Ramona Ritzmann, University of Freiburg, GermanyCopyright © 2020 Venturelli, Ruzzante, Villa, Rudi, Tarperi, Milanese, Cavedon, Fonte, Picelli, Smania, Calabria, Skafidas, Fochi, Romanelli, Layec and Schena. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Massimo Venturelli, massimo.venturelli@univr.it