Adding a tiny amount of methylene blue to heart cell power plants makes them use oxygen more efficiently, no matter what fuel they're burning.
Scientific Claim
In isolated rat heart mitochondria, acute exposure to 0.1 µM methylene blue increases oxygen consumption during respiration supported by both complex I (glutamate/malate) and complex II (succinate) substrates, indicating enhanced mitochondrial respiratory capacity in both healthy and diabetic conditions.
Original Statement
“The addition of methylene blue (0.1 μmol·L⁻¹) elicited an increase in oxygen consumption of mitochondria energized with complex I and II substrates in both normal and diseased mitochondria.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study directly measured oxygen consumption in isolated mitochondria under controlled conditions; the effect is observed and quantified, so definitive language is appropriate for this specific in vitro context.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that a tiny amount of methylene blue helped heart mitochondria from both healthy and diabetic rats use oxygen better to make energy, no matter which fuel they were using.