RTA 408 is a potent activator of Nrf2 and inhibitor of NF κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), and thus induces an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenotype. Several lines of evidence suggest that Nrf2 activation can increase mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis. Collectively, available data suggest that the ability of RTA 408 to activate Nrf2 and induce its target genes could potentially improve muscle function, oxidative phosphorylation, antioxidant capacity, and mitochondrial biogenesis in patients with mitochondrial myopathies.