Abstract
Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles with their own DNA and proteosynthetic apparatus. They allow our cells to make use of important metabolic pathways including the respiratory chain, Krebs cycle or fatty acid beta-oxidation.
Many groups of commonly used medications interfere with mitochondrial functions, which may lead to the development of various adverse effects such as oto- or nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression or lactic acidosis. Their riska and specific symptoms depend on the presence of specific mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear genome of a given patient.
Genetic analysis may in the near future enable the prevention of some of these adverse effects.