Category: Alternative Treatments

Biologically active food additives for correction of the chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The syndrome of chronic fatigue is a rather new pathology, included in ADS 10. There is no specific treatment. Vitamins and microelements are very important for the prevention and treatment of CFS. Of special significance are BAA on the basis of yeasts, which are universal in their biological chemical composition and contain high amounts of vitamins B, K and essential amino acids. The aim this work is clinical diagnostic of “Nagipol” use, made on the basis of beer yeasts, for the prevention and treatment of CFS. Clinical-dietologic study showed that “Nagipol” biologically active additive, useful in CFS, proving clinical status improvement in CFS, positively influencing cognitive CNS functions, symptoms of psychoemotional instability, normalizing blood biochemical parameters, can be recommended as one of the addition element in diet-therapy of patients with excessive body mass and obesity with the associated CFS. Recommended “Nagipol” as preventive-medical dietetic means for this pathology.

 

Source: Dotsenko VA, Mosiĭchuk LV, Paramonov AE. Biologically active food additives for correction of the chronic fatigue syndrome. Vopr Pitan. 2004;73(2):17-21. [Article in Russian] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15154366

 

Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes

Abstract:

Lateral ventricular enlargement has been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome, while cerebral neurospectroscopy has recently indicated that essential fatty acid treatment may be of value in this condition. An essential fatty acid supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was therefore given daily to a female patient with a 6-year history of unremitting symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cerebral magnetic resonance scanning was carried out at baseline and 16 weeks later. The EPA-rich essential fatty acid supplementation led to a marked clinical improvement in her symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, starting within 6-8 weeks. Accurate quantification of the lateral ventricular volumes in the baseline and 16-week follow-up registered images of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging structural scans showed that the treatment was accompanied by a marked reduction in the lateral ventricular volume during this period, from 28,940-23,660 mm3.

 

Source: Puri BK, Holmes J, Hamilton G. Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes.  Int J Clin Pract. 2004 Mar;58(3):297-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117099

 

The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

There is evidence that there is an association between chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition of unknown aetiology, and essential fatty acids. This evidence is based on the actions of essential fatty acids, the results of proton neurospectroscopy studies, and essential fatty acid trial data.

A series of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were treated solely with a high-eicosapentaenoic acid-containing essential fatty acid supplement. All showed improvement in their symptomatology within eight to 12 weeks. These results, which are consistent with a recent detailed report of cerebral and clinical changes associated with a high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid, suggest that this n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid may offer the hope of effective treatment for at least some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Puri BK. The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004 Apr;70(4):399-401. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15041033

 

Exploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and propionylcarnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: We compared the effects of acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine and both compounds on the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).

METHODS: In an open, randomized fashion we compared 2 g/d acetyl-L-carnitine, 2 g/d propionyl-L-carnitine, and its combination in 3 groups of 30 CFS patients during 24 weeks. Effects were rated by clinical global impression of change. Secondary endpoints were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Stroop attention concentration test. Scores were assessed 8 weeks before treatment; at randomization; after 8, 16, and 24 weeks of treatment; and 2 weeks later.

RESULTS: Clinical global impression of change after treatment showed considerable improvement in 59% of the patients in the acetylcarnitine group and 63% in the propionylcarnitine group, but less in the acetylcarnitine plus propionylcarnitine group (37%). Acetylcarnitine significantly improved mental fatigue (p =.015) and propionylcarnitine improved general fatigue (p =.004). Attention concentration improved in all groups, whereas pain complaints did not decrease in any group. Two weeks after treatment, worsening of fatigue was experienced by 52%, 50%, and 37% in the acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine, and combined group, respectively. In the acetylcarnitine group, but not in the other groups, the changes in plasma carnitine levels correlated with clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: Acetylcarnitine and propionylcarnitine showed beneficial effect on fatigue and attention concentration. Less improvement was found by the combined treatment. Acetylcarnitine had main effect on mental fatigue and propionylcarnitine on general fatigue.

 

Source: Vermeulen RC, Scholte HR. Exploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and propionylcarnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychosom Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;66(2):276-82. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15039515

 

A randomised, controlled, triple-blind trial of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: There is no management regime for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) that has been found to be universally beneficial and no treatment can be considered a “cure”. Patients with CFS may use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Our aim was to evaluate homeopathic treatment in reducing subjective symptoms of CFS.

METHOD: Using a triple-blind design (patient and homeopath blind to group assignment and data analyst blind to group until after initial analyses to reduce the possibility of bias due to data analyst), we randomly assigned patients to homeopathic medicine or identical placebo. One hundred and three patients meeting the Oxford criteria for CFS were recruited from two specialist hospital out patient departments. Patients had monthly consultations with a professional homeopath for 6 months. Main outcome measures were scores on the subscales of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and proportions of each group attaining clinically significant improvements on each subscale. Secondary outcome measures were the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and the Functional Limitations Profile (FLP). Ninety-two patients completed treatment in the trial (47 homeopathic treatment, 45 placebo). Eighty-six patients returned fully or partially completed posttreatment outcome measures (41 homeopathic treatment group who completed treatment, 2 homeopathic treatment group who did not complete treatment, 38 placebo group who completed treatment, and 5 placebo group who did not complete treatment).

RESULTS: Seventeen of 103 patients withdrew from treatment or were lost to follow-up. Patients in the homeopathic medicine group showed significantly more improvement on the MFI general fatigue subscale (one of the primary outcome measures) and the FLP physical subscale but not on other subscales. Although group differences were not statistically significant on four out of the five MFI subscales (the primary outcome measures), more people in the homeopathic medicine group showed clinically significant improvement. More people in the homeopathic medicine group showed clinical improvement on all primary outcomes (relative risk=2.75, P=.09).

CONCLUSIONS: There is weak but equivocal evidence that the effects of homeopathic medicine are superior to placebo. Results also suggest that there may be nonspecific benefits from the homeopathic consultation. Further studies are needed to determine whether these differences hold in larger samples.

Comment in: A randomised, controlled, triple-blind trial of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. [J Psychosom Res. 2004]

 

Source: Weatherley-Jones E, Nicholl JP, Thomas KJ, Parry GJ, McKendrick MW, Green ST, Stanley PJ, Lynch SP. A randomised, controlled, triple-blind trial of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2004 Feb;56(2):189-97. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15016577

 

Effect of Kuibitang on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Abstract:

Kuibitang (KBT) is clinically used to treat patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in South Korea. However, its effect has not been investigated experimentally. Recent reports have shown that CFS patients display an altered cytokine production. We examined the effect of KBT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced various cytokines production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CFS patients and healthy controls. KBT (1 mg/ml) significantly inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor-beta1 production in PBMC of CFS patients. However, LPS-induced interferon-gamma production was significantly increased by KBT (0.01 mg/ml). These results provide evidence of a novel activity of the KBT that regulate cytokines production related with CFS.

 

Source: Shin HY, An NH, Cha YJ, Shin EJ, Shin TY, Baek SH, Kim CH, Lyu YS, Lee EJ, Kim HM. Effect of Kuibitang on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Feb;90(2-3):253-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15013189

 

Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue greatly affects quality of life and is a common reason for consulting a physician. Since conventional therapy is often of limited help, fatigued patients may use herbal treatments. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Siberian ginseng.

METHOD: Subjects were recruited from advertisements in Iowa (82%) and members of chronic fatigue syndrome support groups (18%). Potential subjects were required to have substantial fatigue > or = 6 months with no identifiable cause. The mean change in a fatigue measure was compared for placebo and Siberian ginseng at 1 and 2 months. Comparisons were for all subjects and for subjects with characteristics previously identified in the literature as important for categorizing chronic fatigue.

RESULTS: Ninety-six subjects were randomized to treatment groups, and 76 provided information at 2 months of follow-up. Fatigue among subjects assigned to either placebo or Siberian ginseng was substantially reduced during the study, but differences between treatment groups were not statistically significant in the full sample. Fatigue severity and duration had a statistically significant interaction with response to Siberian ginseng at the P < 0.05 level. Treatment was effective at 2 months for 45 subjects with less severe fatigue (P = 0.04 unadjusted for multiple comparisons) and for 41 subjects with fatigue for > or = 5 years (P = 0.09 unadjusted for multiple comparisons).

CONCLUSION: Overall efficacy was not demonstrated. However, the findings of possible efficacy for patients with moderate fatigue suggests that further research may be of value.

 

Source: Hartz AJ, Bentler S, Noyes R, Hoehns J, Logemann C, Sinift S, Butani Y, Wang W, Brake K, Ernst M, Kautzman H. Randomized controlled trial of Siberian ginseng for chronic fatigue. Psychol Med. 2004 Jan;34(1):51-61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14971626

 

Effect of bojungikki-tang on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Abstract:

Bojungikki-tang (BIT) has been widely used to treat patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, its effect has not been yet investigated experimentally. Based upon the clinical presentation of CFS, we hypothesized that cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We studied the effect of BIT on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced various cytokines production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CFS patients. Bojungikki-tang (1 mg/mL) significantly inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 production by 63.55% +/- 0.19%, 55.06% +/- 0.27%, 48.23% +/- 0.48%, 54.09% +/- 0.76%, respectively (P < 0.05). Bojungikki-tang showed a slightly lower inhibitory effect of LPS-induced Interferon (IFN)-gamma production. These results suggest that BIT may be useful in treating fatigue associated with chronic diseases.

 

Source: Shin HY, Shin CH, Shin TY, Lee EJ, Kim HM. Effect of bojungikki-tang on lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2003 Nov;25(4):491-501. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14686792

 

Role of antioxidants in chronic fatigue syndrome in mice

Abstract:

The present study was carried out using mice model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in which mice were forced to swim everyday for 7 days for a 6 min session. There was a significant increase in despair behavior (immobility period) in saline treated mice on successive days.

Treatment with potent antioxidants carvedilol (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant reduction in immobility period. Similar results were observed with herbal products St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L) (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and GS-02 (20 mg/kg, p.o.). Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor produced a significant effect only on first and second day of its treatment.

Biochemical analysis revealed that chronic swim test significantly increased lipid peroxidation and catalase levels in whole brains of mice. There was a decrease in the levels of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH) in the brain.

Administration of carvedilol, melatonin, GS-02 and St. John’s Wort restored the levels of lipid peroxidation and glutathione. The enzymes SOD and catalase were also restored. Fluoxetine affected the biochemical variables not to the same extent as other treatments. The findings of the present study suggest that oxidative stress might play a significant role in the pathophysiology of CFS. Thus antioxidants and herbal products like St. Johns wort and GS-02 could be useful in the treatment of CFS.

 

Source: Singh A, Garg V, Gupta S, Kulkarni SK. Role of antioxidants in chronic fatigue syndrome in mice. Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Nov;40(11):1240-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13677625

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: lactic acid bacteria may be of therapeutic value

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is complex illness with unknown aetiology. Recent research shows that patients with CFS have marked alterations in microbial flora, including lowered levels of bifidobacteria and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Research also indicates that CFS patients are under increased oxidative stress, have a type 2 helper cell dominate cytokine profile, frequently report allergies, have altered essential fatty acid (EFA) status and may have malabsorption of certain micronutrients.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the potential to influence the immune system in CFS patients by supporting T helper cell 1 driven cellular immunity and may decrease allergies. In addition LAB are strong antioxidants, may improve EFA status, can enhance absorption of micronutrients by protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier, and have been used to treat SIBO. It is our contention that LAB may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of CFS.

 

Source: Logan AC, Venket Rao A, Irani D. Chronic fatigue syndrome: lactic acid bacteria may be of therapeutic value. Med Hypotheses. 2003 Jun;60(6):915-23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12699726