An experimental model of mitochondrial myopathy: Germanium-induced myopathy and coenzyme Q10 administration

In skeletal muscles from rats treated with germanium for 23 weeks, there were numerous ragged-red fibers and cytochrome-c oxidase (COX)-deficient fibers. Biochemically, germanium reduced the enzyme activities in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Rotenone-sensitive NADH–cytochrome-c reductase as well as COX activities were markedly reduced, while succinate–cytochrome-c reductase was less severely, but significantly, affected. The histopathological findings in these muslces were similar to those seen in patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, suggesting that germanium-induced myopathy may be a useful experimental model. Coenzyme Q₁₀ administration appeared to be ineffective in preventing this experimental myopathy. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.