In mice, methylene blue fixes energy problems only if they’re caused by a specific broken part (Complex I)—not if another part (Complex III) is broken. This is different from what was seen in guinea pigs.
Scientific Claim
Methylene blue’s ability to restore mitochondrial membrane potential is observed in mouse brain mitochondria under Complex I inhibition (rotenone) but not under Complex III inhibition (antimycin), regardless of substrate (pyruvate + malate, succinate, or L-proline), indicating a species-specific mechanism distinct from prior findings in guinea pig mitochondria.
Original Statement
“MB did not restore the ΔΨm in the mitochondria oxidizing either pyruvate + malate, succinate, or L-proline... we think that well-described ‘hormesis effect’ of MB has nothing to do with that, and the issue is that in mouse brain mitochondria MB does not behave the same way as in guinea pig brain 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 systematically tested multiple substrates and consistently observed no MB effect under Complex III inhibition in mice, directly contradicting prior guinea pig data. The language accurately reflects the observed species difference.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Methylene blue does not bypass Complex III antimycin block in mouse brain mitochondria
Methylene blue can help fix broken energy production in mouse brain cells when one part (Complex I) is broken, but it doesn’t work when another part (Complex III) is broken — and this is different from how it works in guinea pigs.