Mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction linked to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration explored by PBMCs metabolism analysis

Impaired mitochondria cause an impressive decrease in ATP production becoming a common condition of cardiovascular diseases. Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction. By a non-invasive procedure of metabolism analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we exploit ex-vivo studies that directly constitute a translational approach to evaluate the cell bioenergetics. Cell ATP production decreased in the presence of MMVD, whereas glycolysis was unaffected. In MMVD, the mitochondrial activity underwent a significant reduction of basal respiration, maximal respiration, and ATP production. Our results depicted a pathological condition of MMVD characterized by cell metabolism deprived of mitochondrial energy support. •PBMCs are used to evaluate mitochondrial function in myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).•Glycolysis is unaffected in the presence of MMVD.•The cell metabolism in MMVD is deprived of mitochondrial bioenergetics.