Newswise
, September 14, 2015)—One in four Gulf War veterans suffers from Gulf War
Illness (GWI). New preliminary research to be presented at Physiological Bionergetics: From Bench to Bedside shows
for the first time direct evidence of greater mitochondrial damage in Gulf War
veterans.
The
condition is characterized by unexplainable chronic fatigue, muscle pain and
cognitive dysfunction and may be associated with exposure to chemicals, many
identified as genotoxins, during deployment.
Previous
studies suggest that the symptoms of GWI are due to dysfunction of the
mitochondria, the site in cells where molecules that power the body’s processes
are produced. Not producing enough energy slows down the body and leaves the
individual feeling tired.
The
mitochondrion has its own DNA, separate from the cell’s, that encodes the
proteins needed to produce the molecules that power the body’s processes.
Damage
to the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) directly affects the mitochondria’s ability to
function and produce energy. Increases in the amount of mtDNA have been
associated with disease.
In
this study, researchers measured the mtDNA amount and degree of mtDNA damage in
blood cells from blood samples from veterans with GWI. Compared with healthy
non-deployed controls, Gulf War veterans had more mtDNA content and greater
mtDNA damage.
According
to the researchers, these findings further support that mitochondrial
dysfunction may be involved in GWI. “Future studies are necessary to confirm
these findings and determine their association with mitochondrial function.
Work in this area may guide new diagnostic testing and treatments for veterans
suffering from GWI,” the researchers wrote.
Yang
Chen, MS, doctoral researcher at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, will
present “Mitochondrial DNA is damaged in military veterans with fatiguing
conditions” as part of the symposium “Translational Bioenergetics” on Thursday,
Sept. 10, at 5:05 PM EDT in the Harbour Island Ballroom of the Westin Tampa
Harbour Island.
This
work was conducted with funding from Veteran Affairs (VA) Clinical Science
Research & Development Service awarded to Michael J. Falvo, PhD, at the War
Related Illness and Injury Study Center at VA-New Jersey Health Care System in
East Orange, N.J.
About
the American Physiological Society
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.
