Lecture on Mitochondria and Mitochondrial Decline

Introduction to Mitochondria

• Mitochondria are small organelles in cells responsible for energy generation.
• Typically, cells have around 100 mitochondria that produce ATP by combusting glucose and oxygen.
• Mitochondrial DNA (16,000 base pairs) is much smaller than nuclear DNA (3 billion base pairs).
• Mitochondria have bacterial origins and have evolved over a billion years to become part of eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondrial Decline and Aging

• Mitochondrial decline with age is linked to many diseases.
• Cells require energy from mitochondria to function correctly; decline leads to insufficient energy.
• Mitochondrial DNA damage accumulates over time, contributing to aging and disease.
• Example: Presenter’s family mitochondrial DNA studies show varying damage scores correlating with age.

Causes and Effects of Mitochondrial Decline

• Mitochondrial decline can be accelerated by lifestyle factors like smoking and chronic diseases.
• Damage in mitochondrial DNA increases as we age, impacting health and longevity.
• Mitochondria are maternally inherited and undergo constant replication, leading to potential errors with age.

Mitochondrial Bio-Reactors and Transplants

• Proposal to use bio-reactors to grow new mitochondria for transplantation.
• Transplants could potentially prevent or reverse age-related diseases by replenishing healthy mitochondria.
• Mitochondrial transplantation could be similar to a blood transfusion, leveraging natural mitochondrial transfer processes in the body.

Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Transplantation

• Use of platelet-derived mitochondria (mitolets) for transplantation.
• Platelets produce mitolets, which are absorbed by other cells to replenish mitochondria.

Research and Applications

• Studies show potential in reversing immune system aging through mitochondrial transplants.
• Animal studies indicate improved health markers with mitolet injections.
• Ongoing tests aim to apply this technology for various medical conditions, including eye diseases and possibly Alzheimer's.

Conclusion and Future Implications

• Mitochondrial transplants could be foundational in longevity treatments and broader medical therapies.
• Aiming to integrate mitochondrial replenishment into regular medical treatments to address energy deficiencies in cells.
• Future research and applications could transform approaches to aging and chronic disease management.