Abstract:
Based upon the clinical presentation of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we hypothesized that proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We therefore undertook a retrospective cross-sectional study to examine the role of TNF-alpha in patients with CFS. Our results suggest a significant increase serum TNF-alpha in patients with CFS (P<0.0001) compared to non-CFS controls. This study supports the further examination of the role of proinflammatory mediators in CFS. Furthermore, the clinical testing of TNF-alpha blockers and other antiinflammatory agents for the treatment of this disease is warranted.
Source: Moss RB, Mercandetti A, Vojdani A. TNF-alpha and chronic fatigue syndrome. J Clin Immunol. 1999 Sep;19(5):314-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10535608