Nutritional assessment by measuring mitochondrial complex activity

• US 6,455,243 B1
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kursheed Jeejeebhoy
• Original Assignee: Kursheed Jeejeebhoy
• Inventors: Jeejeebhoy, Kursheed
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartzman, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOEB, BRONWEN
• Application Number:
  US09/719,451
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 435/4, 435/7.21, 435/25
• US Class Current: 435/4
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 14/80 Cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/00 Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms measuring or testing apparatus with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters, C12M1/34; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/80 Cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5091 for testing the pathological state of an organism

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method of detecting malnutrition in a mammal is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring the activity in the mammal of one of more complexes selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II, and Complex III; and (b) determining if the level of activity is below the level of activity of the complexes in a normal control sample. According to a second aspect of the invention, the use of Complex I is disclose for nutritional assessment of a mammal. According to a third aspect of the invention, the use of Complex II is disclosed for nutritional assessment of a mammal. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the use of Complex III is disclosed for nutritional assessment of a mammal. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a kit for nutritional assessment of a mammal is provided, comprising one or more reagents for measuring the activity in the mammal of one or more complexes selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II, and Complex III.

Claims

1. A method for detecting malnutrition in a mammal, said method comprising:

measuring the activity of a mitochondrial enzyme complex selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II and Complex III in a sample from a mammal, wherein decreased activity of said enzyme complex compared to that of a normal control sample is indicative of the presence of malnutrition in said mammal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said sample comprises lymphocytes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sample comprises skeletal muscle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said sample is a blood sample.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said mitochonddal enzyme complex is Complex I.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said mitochondrial enzyme complex is Complex II.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said mitochondrial enzyme complex is Complex III.

8. A method for evaluation of malnutrition in a mammal, comprising the steps of:

i) quantifying the activity of a mitochondrial enzyme complex selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II and Complex III in a sample from a mammal and comparing the activity to a normal control sample; and

ii) classifying said mammal as having or not having malnutrition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said mammal is classified as having malnutrition and the method further comprises the steps of restoring nutrition in said mammal and conducting a second assay quantifying the activity of said mitochondrial enzyme complex on a second sample from said mammal in order to determine whether the activity of said mitochondrial enzyme complex is restored.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said control sample is sample matched for one or more criteria selected from the group consisting of age, sex and height.

11. A method for detecting the reversal of malnutrition in a malnutritioned mammal, said method comprising:

measuring the activity of a mitochondrial enzyme complex selected from the group consisting of Complex I, Complex II and Complex III in a first sample from said mammal, treating said mammal to restore nutrition; and

conducting a second assay measuring the activity of said mitochondrial enzyme complex on a second sample from said mammal, wherein an increase in the activity of said enzyme complex compared to that of said first sample is indicative of the reversal of malnutrition in said mammal.