Methylene blue helps brain cells use oxygen more efficiently to make energy after they’ve been starved.
Scientific Claim
Methylene blue (10 μM) increases oxygen consumption rate in primary mouse astrocytes by approximately 40% under normoxic and reoxygenation conditions, indicating enhanced mitochondrial respiration.
Original Statement
“MB (10 μM) administration induced a significant increase in OCR in astrocytes compared to vehicle treated cells. ... MB treatment significantly increased oxygen flux into astrocytes in agreement with the increased OCR.”
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 OCR using validated instrumentation in isolated astrocytes; the effect is robust and statistically significant within the model.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that methylene blue helps brain cells use more oxygen to make energy, especially after they’ve been starved of oxygen and then given it back — which means it makes their energy factories work better.