The most recent research, carried out by the graduate of the María Cano University Foundation based in Cali, Valeria Sanclemente Cardoza, with the direction of the research professor José Luis Estela Zape, has recently been published in the distinguished Medical Journal of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. Under the title «Mitochondrial adaptations in acute respiratory distress syndrome», this study constitutes a highly relevant contribution to the knowledge of the pathophysiology associated with this complex lung condition.

The research delves into the critical role played by mitochondria in cellular metabolism, highlighting their crucial participation in essential biochemical processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation and the Krebs cycle. Furthermore, it closely examines how these mitochondrial adaptations are linked to the clinical manifestations of acute respiratory distress syndrome, characterized by the presence of alveolar infiltrates, immune dysregulation, and damage to the alveolocapillary interface.

It is shown that mitochondrial function is compromised under conditions of hypoxemia, triggering a series of cellular responses to stress, including the activation of response factors to hypoxia, oxidative stress and acidosis. This correlation between mitochondrial dysfunctions and pathological features of acute respiratory distress syndrome highlights the critical importance of maintaining adequate oxygenation to preserve mitochondrial integrity and mitigate associated cellular damage.

In conclusion, this study not only expands our understanding of mitochondrial biology and its relevance in severe lung diseases, but also underlines the urgency of developing specific therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving mitochondrial function in patients affected by this pathology.

To read the publication go here