Mitochondrial abnormalities in selenium-deficient myopathy

Abstract

We report a man who developed selenium-deficient myopathy during long- term parenteral nutrition. Muscle biopsy showed marked mitochondrial depletion in the deep sarcoplasm and enlarged mitochondria at the periphery mainly in type 2 fibers. Muscle weakness improved gradually after the second course of selenium supplementation. The peculiar mitochondrial abnormalities in muscle fibers appear to play a key role in the pathogenesis of selenium- deficient myopathy.