Diagnostic Potential of Human Blood Cells Bioenergetics

Mitochondria play a crucial role in energy production. Changes in mitochondrial function is now widely recognized as a hallmark of numerous chronic diseases. Assessment of mitochondrial function in different tissues can therefore provide invaluable insight into many physiological and pathological conditions. Traditionally, muscle biopsies samples are widely used due to their high metabolic activity and mitochondrial abundance. However, their invasive nature and limited tissue yield have driven the search for less invasive alternatives. Blood samples have emerged as an alternative approach, offering easily accessible, repeatable, and minimally-invasive material for mitochondrial studies. Blood cell bioenergetics provides a promising, high-throughput approach for translational research and potential clinical applications in personalized medicine.The association between blood cell bioenergetics and physiological or clinical parameters remains a topic of ongoing debate. Recent data show that different stimuli (e.g. exercise or aging) affect blood cell bioenergetics. Altered respiratory rates have also been associated with conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. However, the effect appears to be more intricate compared to those observed in other tissues, such as skeletal muscle. Further studies are needed to better understand these tissue-specific effects and the applicability of this analysis for precision medicine approaches.This Research Topic aims to explore how blood cell respirometry can illuminate metabolic changes in humans, potentially aiding diagnosis and treatment monitoring across a spectrum of metabolic diseases. With numerous studies linking altered respiratory rates in blood cells to conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, there is a pressing need to thoroughly investigate and draw clearer connections between mitochondrial dysfunction and these diseases.To enrich our understanding and application of blood cell bioenergetics, this Research Topic welcomes contributions across a variety of article types, including original research, reviews, commentaries, and reports. We are particularly interested in:• Detailed methodologies in blood cell bioenergetics• Critical discussions of technical limitations and result interpretationContributions should ideally come from diverse laboratories to address the diagnostic capabilities of bioenergetics in human blood cells. This initiative not only supports ongoing research but also enhances our capabilities in diagnosing and monitoring diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic disorders. Topic editors: Nina Krako Jakovljevic, Chiara Volani, Dominik H. Pesta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77656/diagnostic-potential-of-human-blood-cells-bioenergetics