Category: Alternative Treatments

Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate in murine water-immersion stress model of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a specific clinical condition that characterizes unexplained disabling fatigue. In the present study, chronic fatigue was produced in mice by subjecting them to forced swim inside a rectangular jar of specific dimensions for 6 min. daily for 15 days.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered daily 30 min. before forced swim session. Immobility period and post-swim fatigue was assessed on alternate days. On the 16th day, after assessment of various behavioural parameters, mice were killed to harvest the brain, spleen and thymus.

There was significant increase in oxidative-nitrosative stress and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in the brain of mice subjected to water-immersion stress as compared with naive group. These behavioural and biochemical alterations were restored after chronic treatment with EGCG. The present study points out that EGCG could be of therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic fatigue.

 

Source: Sachdeva AK, Kuhad A, Tiwari V, Arora V, Chopra K. Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate in murine water-immersion stress model of chronic fatigue syndrome. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2010 Jun;106(6):490-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00525.x. Epub 2010 Jan 18. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00525.x/full (Full article)

 

The effects of galantamine hydrobromide treatment on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol levels in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Mental fatigue, cognitive disorders, and sleep disturbances seen in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may be attributed to cholinergic deficit. A functional deficiency of cholinergic neurotransmission may cause the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hypoactivity seen in CFS. Therefore, we investigated the alterations in stress hormones such as cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in CFS patients before and after 4-week administration of galantamine hydrobromide, a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, and aimed to investigate whether there are any relationships between the probable hormonal changes and cholinergic treatment.

METHODS: Basal levels of cortisol and DHEAS were measured in 29 untreated CFS patients who were diagnosed according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria and in 20 healthy controls. In the patient group, four weeks after 8 mg/d galantamine hydrobromide treatment, cortisol and DHEAS levels were measured again. After the treatment 22 patients who stayed in study were divided into two subgroups as responders and nonresponders according to the reduction in their Newcastle Research Group ME/CFS Score Card (NRG) scores.

RESULTS: Important findings of this study are lower pre-and post-treatment cortisol levels and in all CFS patients compared to controls (F=4.129, p=0.049; F=4.803, p=0.035, respectively); higher basal DHEAS values and higher DHEAS/cortisol molar ratios which were normalized following four weeks’ treatment with 8 mg/d galantamine hydrobromide in the treatment-respondent group (F=5.382, p=0.029; F=5.722, p=0.025, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The findings of the decrease in basal DHEAS levels and DHEAS/cortisol molar ratios normalizing with galantamine treatment may give some support to the cholinergic deficit hypothesis in CFS.

 

Source: Turan T, Izgi HB, Ozsoy S, Tanrıverdi F, Basturk M, Asdemir A, Beşirli A, Esel E, Sofuoglu S. The effects of galantamine hydrobromide treatment on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and cortisol levels in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychiatry Investig. 2009 Sep;6(3):204-10. doi: 10.4306/pi.2009.6.3.204. Epub 2009 Jun 23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796068/ (Full article)

 

Randomized controlled study on influence of acupuncture for life quality of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of acupuncture on quality of life of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODS: Randomized, controlled and single-blinded study method was used, 70 cases were divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.; the control group was treated with acupuncture at non-meridian points (2 cm to the acupoints), thrice a week. The treatment was given for 14 times. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale was used to evaluate the patients’ quality of life before and after treatment.

RESULTS: The physiological field, individuals own perception of his health condition and total score were significantly improved after treatment in the observation group (all P<0.05); there were no obvious changes in the psychology, social relationships, environment and subjective feelings about the quality of life (all P>0.05). The score of the environmental field in the control group was significantly decreased compared to that before treatment (P<0.05), and there were no significant changes in the other scores. There were no adverse effects in patients.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can improve the quality of life of CFS patients, especially in physiological field and the individual perception to his well being. Acupuncture has high safety, and the acupoints has high specific degree than non-meridian points.

 

Source: Wang JJ, Song YJ, Wu ZC, Chu XO, Wang QM, Wei LN, Wang XJ, Meng H. Randomized controlled study on influence of acupuncture for life quality of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009 Oct;29(10):780-4. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19873911

 

Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue is increasingly common. Conventional medical care is limited in treating chronic fatigue, leading some patients to use traditional Chinese medicine therapies, including herbal medicine.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine herbal products in treating idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

SEARCH STRATEGY: The following databases were searched for terms related to traditional Chinese medicine, chronic fatigue, and clinical trials: CCDAN Controlled Trials Register (July 2009), MEDLINE (1966-2008), EMBASE (1980-2008), AMED (1985-2008), CINAHL (1982-2008), PSYCHINFO (1985-2008), CENTRAL (Issue 2 2008), the Chalmers Research Group PedCAM Database (2004), VIP Information (1989-2008), CNKI (1976-2008), OCLC Proceedings First (1992-2008), Conference Papers Index (1982-2008), and Dissertation Abstracts (1980-2008). Reference lists of included studies and review articles were examined and experts in the field were contacted for knowledge of additional studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Selection criteria included published or unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of participants diagnosed with idiopathic chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome comparing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with placebo, conventional standard of care (SOC), or no treatment/wait lists. The outcome of interest was fatigue.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: 13 databases were searched for RCTs investigating TCM herbal products for the treatment of chronic fatigue. Over 2400 references were located. Studies were screened and assessed for inclusion criteria by two authors.

MAIN RESULTS: No studies that met all inclusion criteria were identified.

AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Although studies examining the use of TCM herbal products for chronic fatigue were located, methodologic limitations resulted in the exclusion of all studies. Of note, many of the studies labelled as RCTs and conducted in China did not utilize rigorous randomization procedures. Improvements in methodology in future studies is required for meaningful synthesis of data.

 

Source:Adams D, Wu T, Yang X, Tai S, Vohra S. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Oct 7;(4):CD006348. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006348.pub2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19821361 

 

Effect of lixu jieyu recipe in treating 75 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effective Chinese medicine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODS: Seventy-five CFS patients meeting the inclusive criteria were enrolled from March 2007 to April 2008 and randomized into two groups. The 40 patients in the treated group were orally treated with Lixu Jieyu Recipe (LJR, consisted of milkvetch root 30 g, kudzuvine root 30 g, asiabell root 15 g, red sage root 10 g, aizoon stonecrop 15 g, epimeddium herb 10 g, curcuma root 10 g, and grassleaved sweetflag rhizome 10 g, made into 200 mL of decoction), for 100 mL twice a day. The 35 patients in the control group were treated with vitamin B tablets (10 mg twice a day), adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 20 mg, thrice a day) and Oryzanol tablets (20 mg thrice a day). The laboratory indicators including serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE), blood immune cells, as T-cells (Th and Ts), B-cells, natural killer cells, as well as CD4/CD8 ratio were measured before and after 3-month treatment.

RESULTS: After treatment the difference in scores of fatigue symptoms between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01), the scores of various SCL-90 factors and the total score significantly reduced in the treated group after treatment (P < 0.01). Levels of the immunoglobulins measured before treatment were in an equilibrium state, they all were unchanged after treatment in both groups (P > 0.05), and showed no significant difference between groups either before or after treatment. As for the immune cells, significant increase of the lowered Th, Ts cells, and decrease of CD4/CD8 ratio were found in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), but the improvement was more significant in the treated group, so the difference between groups in these indices after treatment also showed statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: LJR shows superiority in treating CFS.

 

Source: Zhang ZX, Wu LL, Chen M. Effect of lixu jieyu recipe in treating 75 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2009 Jun;29(6):501-5. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19702080

 

Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on the fatigue degree in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODS: Seventy CFS patients were equally randomized into control and treatment groups according to randomized block design. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), etc., for patients in treatment group, and to non-acupoints (2 cm respectively to the abovementioned acupoints) for those in control group. The treatment was given once every other day, 14 times altogether. The fatigue degree and the therapeutic effect were assessed by Chalder’s fatigue scale (FS).

RESULTS: A total of 64 cases (32/group) were finished in this study. After the treatment, the physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.4 vs 6.8 +/- 1.5), mental FS (1.8 +/-1.8 vs 3.1 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (6.8 +/- 3.8 vs 9.9 +/- 2.5) in treatment group, physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.5 vs 6.4 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (7.5 +/- 3.4 vs 9.6 +/- 2.8) in control group decreased significantly compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no marked change in mental FS (2.5 +/- 11.6 vs 3.2 +/- 11.6) in control group after the treatment (P > 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed no significant differences in the 3 indexes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can relieve CFS patients’ physical and mental fatigue and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture of acupoints is relatively better than that of non-acupoints in reducing mental fatigue.

 

Source: Wang JJ, Song YJ, Wu ZC, Chu XO, Wang QM, Wang XJ, Wei LN, Meng H, Wang XH. Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2009 Apr;34(2):120-4. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19685727

 

Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates chronic fatigue syndrome in mice: behavioral and biochemical evidence

Abstract:

Three decades after the coining of the term chronic fatigue syndrome, the diagnosis of this illness is still symptom based and the aetiology remains elusive. Chronic fatigue syndrome pathogenesis seems to be multifactorial and the possible involvement of immune system is supported. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of the epigallocatechin gallate in a mouse model of immunologically induced chronic fatigue.

On 19th day, after lipopolysaccharide/Brucella abortus administration, the mice showed significant increase in immobility period, post swim fatigue and thermal hyperalgesia. Behavioral deficits were coupled with enhanced oxidative-nitrosative stress as evident by increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite levels and decreased endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase) and inflammation (increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and tissue growth factor-beta).

Chronic treatment with epigallocatechin gallate restored these behavioral and biochemical alterations in mice. The present study points out towards the beneficial effect of epigallocatechin gallate in the amelioration of chronic fatigue syndrome and thus may provide a new, effective and powerful strategy to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Sachdeva AK, Kuhad A, Tiwari V, Chopra K. Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates chronic fatigue syndrome in mice: behavioral and biochemical evidence. Behav Brain Res. 2009 Dec 28;205(2):414-20. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.07.020. Epub 2009 Jul 28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19643148

 

Effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODS: 182 cases of CFS were randomly divided into an experimental group of 91 cases treated by the intelligent-turtle massage, and a control group of 91 cases treated with the conventional massage method. After 2 courses of treatment, the therapeutic effects were statistically analyzed with the accumulated score for the improved clinical symptoms; and the changes of IgA, IgM and IgG were compared in 96 cases.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the accumulated scores for improvement of the symptoms (P<0.05). A remarkable difference was found in the therapeutic effect. And there was a significant difference in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The intelligent-turtle massage is an effective therapy for relieving the physical symptoms of CFS, and it may show certain effects on the immune functions.

 

Source: Wang JH, Chai TQ, Lin GH, Luo L. Effects of the intelligent-turtle massage on the physical symptoms and immune functions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. 2009 Mar;29(1):24-8. http://www.journaltcm.com/modules/Journal/contents/stories/091/7.pdf (Full article)

 

Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant

Abstract:

It is believed that physical stress, infection and oxidative stress are involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is little evidence stating the beneficial role of nutritional supplements in chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on this, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of naringin, a natural polyphenol, in a mouse model of immunologically-induced fatigue, wherein purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as Brucella abortus (BA) antigen was used as immunogens.

The assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome was based on chronic water-immersion stress test for 10 mins as well as measurement of hyperalgesia for 19 days. Immobility time and tail withdrawal latency as well as oxidative stress were taken as the markers of fatigue. Mice challenged with LPS or BA for 19 days showed significant increase in the immobility time, hyperalgesia and oxidative stress on 19th day. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels markedly increased with LPS or BA challenge.

Concurrent treatment with naringin resulted in the significant decrease in the immobility time as well as hyperalgesia. There was significant attenuation of oxidative stress as well as in TNF-alpha levels. Present findings strongly suggest the role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, and treatment with naringin can be a valuable option in chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Vij G, Gupta A, Chopra K. Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Jun;23(3):331-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00675.x. Epub 2009 Mar 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19469804

 

The role of antioxidant properties of Nardostachys jatamansi in alleviation of the symptoms of the chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

An experimental model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is utilized for evaluation of antidepressant, anti-stress effects, wherein the rat is forced to swim in water for 15 min/day on 21 consecutive days. Rats were divided into stressed control, stressed plus standard drug (Panax ginseng) and stressed plus 200 and 500 mg/kg of test drug, i.e., Nardostachys jatamansi extract (NJE) given orally.

The immobility during each 5 min periods of 0-5, 5-10 and 10-15 min of stress were noted. Similarly the climbing (struggling) behaviour was noted in the above four groups of rats in intervals of 5 min. The locomotor activity and also the anxiety state in animals were evaluated in an elevated plus maze after CFS in all the four groups. There was a significant increase in despair behaviour and anxiety in stressed control animals on successive days of CFS. Locomotor activity gradually decreased in stressed control group. Treatment with NJE (200 and 500 mg/kg) significantly reversed both paradigms.

Biochemical analysis showed that CFS significantly increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite and superoxide dismutase levels and decreased catalase level in rat brain. Administration of NJE (200 and 500 mg/kg) tended to normalize both augmented lipid peroxidation, nitrite, superoxide dismutase activities and catalase level significantly. NJE per se has an antioxidant effect. The results indicate that CFS may lead to oxidative stress, which is mitigated by NJE and so its antioxidant property may be responsible for anti-stress effect of NJE.

 

Source: Lyle N, Gomes A, Sur T, Munshi S, Paul S, Chatterjee S, Bhattacharyya D. The role of antioxidant properties of Nardostachys jatamansi in alleviation of the symptoms of the chronic fatigue syndrome. Behav Brain Res. 2009 Sep 14;202(2):285-90. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.04.005. Epub 2009 Apr 16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19375459