Abstract:
Post-radiation syndrome is proposed to be chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or a chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness, initiated by exposure to ionizing radiation. This view is supported by the nitric oxide/peroxynitrite (NO/ONOO-) cycle mechanism, the putative etiologic mechanism for CFS and related illnesses.
Ionizing radiation may initiate illness by increasing nitric oxide levels via increased activity of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and consequent increased synthesis of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. Two types of components of the nitric oxide/peroxynitrite cycle have been studied in post-radiation syndrome patients and shown to be elevated.
The symptoms and signs of post-radiation syndrome and its chronicity are similar or identical to those of chronic fatigue syndrome and can be explained as being a consequence of nitric oxide/peroxynitrite cycle etiology. While the data available to test this view are limited, it provides for the first time a comprehensive explanation for post-radiation syndrome.
Source: Pall ML. Post-radiation syndrome as a NO/ONOO- cycle, chronic fatigue syndrome-like disease. Med Hypotheses. 2008 Oct;71(4):537-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2008.05.023. Epub 2008 Jul 29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18667279