Abstract
Decreased mitochondrial function is a characteristic of aging and fatigue. Here we determined if mild to moderately severe fatigue in a group of aged subjects (mean age > 60 years), as defined by the validated Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), can be significantly improved by use of a glycophospholipid dietary supplement, NT Factor(tm) (NTF). In addition, we determined if mitochondrial function, as defined by transport of the redox dye Rhodamine-123, is reduced in aging subjects with mild to moderately severe fatigue, and if this can be reversed with NTF supplementation in concert with improvement in fatigue scores. Participants with mild to moderately severe fatigue, who fulfilled the entry requirements were admitted to the study when their fatigue could not be explained by an obvious clinical condition. Twenty of the respondents (mean age = 68.9 ±4.18) completed the first part of the study on NTF for 12 weeks, and 16 of these subjects who agreed to discontinue the product also completed a wash-out period for an additional 12 weeks. Fatigue and mitochondrial function were determined every four weeks during the study. There was a time-dependent reduction in overall fatigue in moderately fatigued subjects (P < .001) but not in mildly fatigued subjects. Mitochondrial function at four and eight weeks of NTF use in moderately fatigued subjects increased by 15% and 26.8%, respectively, and restored mitochondrial function to levels similar to those found in young adults. No further increase was noted between 8 and 12 weeks. Post-NTF there was a slow redevelopment of fatigue and a fall in mitochondrial function in moderately fatigued subjects, indicating that continued use of NTF may be necessary to maintain lower fatigue scores and maintain mitochondrial function. The dietary supplement with NTF reduced moderate fatigue and increased mitochondrial function in aged subjects but had no effect upon mild fatigue expression.