What kind of tissues are usually affected by mitochondrial disorders?

Mitochondrial disorders primarily affect tissues with high energy demands because mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. Tissues such as the heart, brain, muscles, and liver have high metabolic activity and are thus more reliant on efficient mitochondrial function to meet their energy requirements.

When mitochondrial function is impaired due to these disorders, it significantly impacts these energy-intensive tissues, leading to various symptoms and health issues associated with the dysfunctional energy production. For example, muscle tissues may experience weakness or fatigue, and neurological symptoms can arise from insufficient energy supply to the brain.

In contrast, tissues that require low energy or those with a slower metabolic rate are less affected by mitochondrial dysfunctions, as they do not rely as heavily on mitochondrial ATP production. Likewise, tissues with rapid repair mechanisms, such as skin or epithelial cells, while having energy needs, may not significantly showcase mitochondrial disorder effects when their energy demands are moderate or can partly rely on alternative energy pathways.