Defects of mitochondrial respiratory chain in multiple symmetric lipomatosis.

Using lymphocytes from nine unrelated patients with multiple symmetric lipomatosis we investigated a possible defect in the mitochondrial respiratory chain as the biochemical cause for the disease. A significant decrease in oxygen consumption of intact lymphocytes as well as a decreased activity of the individual components of the respiratory chain were detected. These findings are consistent with the recently described deletions and point mutations of mitochondrial DNA in patients suffering from this disease.