Blood parameters indicative of oxidative stress are associated with symptom expression in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

Full blood counts, ESR, CRP, haematinics and markers for oxidative stress were measured for 33 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 27 age and sex matched controls. All participants also completed symptom questionnaires. CFS patients had increases in malondialdehyde (P <0.006), methaemoglobin (P <0.02), mean erythrocyte volume (P <0.02) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (P <0.04) compared with controls. Multiple regression analysis found methaemoglobin to be the principal component that differentiated between CFS patients and control subjects. Methaemoglobin was found to be the major component associated with variation in symptom expression in CFS patients (R(2) = 0.99, P <0.00001), which included fatigue, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain and sleep disturbance. Variation in levels of malondialdehyde and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate were associated with variations in cognitive symptoms and sleep disturbance (R(2) = 0.99, P <0.00001). These data suggest that oxidative stress due to excess free radical formation is a contributor to the pathology of CFS and was associated with symptom presentation.

Differential heat shock protein responses to strenuous standardized exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome patients and matched healthy controls

“…18 In particular, an enhanced activity of oxidative stress has been demonstrated in resting CFS patients and post-exercise. [18][19][20] Thus, impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and antioxidant defences have been implicated in the pathogenesis of CFS. 18;21 In the current study, differences were observed in the expression of HSP27 by CFS patients compared with control subjects, both in basal expression and following strenuous exercise.…”

Membrane Lipid Replacement: Clinical Studies Using a Natural Medicine Approach to Restoring Membrane Function and Improving Health

“…This increases inner membrane leakiness and lowers trans-membrane potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane (MIM), thus impairing mitochondrial function and production of ATP, resulting in reduced physical and mental performance with aging and disease [20] [24]- [26]. For example, chronic fatigue syndrome patients present with evidence of oxidative damage to DNA and lipids [26] [27], such as oxidized blood markers and oxidized membrane lipids that are indicative of excess oxidative stress [27] [28]. These patients also have sustained, elevated levels of peroxynitrite due to excess nitric oxide, which can also result in lipid peroxidation and loss of mitochondrial function as well as changes in cytokine levels that exert a positive feedback on nitric oxide production [29].…”

Parenteral vitamin C relieves chronic fatigue and pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and mononeuritis multiplex secondary to CNS vasculitis

“…Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and acts as a cofactor for numerous biosynthetic and regulatory enzymes in the body [5] , which may account for its observed effects in this case. Oxidative stress has been implicated in chronic fatigue syndrome [11] and chemotherapy-related fatigue [12] . Parenteral vitamin C has been shown to decrease both cancer -and chemotherapyrelated fatigue in cancer patients [2] .…”