Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with coenzyme Q₁₀ deficiency

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) transfers electrons from complexes I and II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain to complex III. There is one published report of human CoQ₁₀ deficiency describing two sisters with encephalopathy, proximal weakness, myoglobinuria, and lactic acidosis. We report a patient who had delayed motor milestones, proximal weakness, premature exertional fatigue, and episodes of exercise-induced pigmenturia. She also developed partial-complex seizures. Serum creatine kinase was approximately four times the upper limit of normal and venous lactate was mildly elevated. Skeletal muscle biopsy revealed many ragged-red fibers, cytochrome c oxidase-deficient fibers, and excess lipid. In isolated muscle mitochondria, impaired oxygen consumption was corrected by the addition of decylubiquinone. During standardized exercise, ventilatory and circulatory responses were compatible with a defect of oxidation-phosphorylation, which was confirmed by near-infrared spectroscopy analysis. Biochemical analysis of muscle extracts revealed decreased activities of complexes I+II and I+III, while CoQ₁₀ concentration was less than 25% of normal. With a brief course of CoQ₁₀ (150 mg daily), the patient reported subjective improvement. The triad of CNS involvement, recurrent myoglobinuria, and ragged-red fibers should alert clinicians to the possibility of CoQ₁₀ deficiency.