experimental fatigue – Page 2 – American ME and CFS Society

Effect of acupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and cerebral superoxide dismutase activity and malonaldehyde concentration in chronic fatigue syndrome rats

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and cerebral superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content in chronic fatigure syndrome (CFS) rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of clinical CFS.

METHODS: Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and acupuncture group (n = 12 in each group). CFS model was established by double stress stimulation of suspending (1.0 – 2.5 h increasing gradually) and forced swimming [Morris water maze tasks, 7 min in (10 +/- 1) degrees C water], once daily for 12 days. Manual acupuncture stimulation was applied to “Baihui” (CV 20), bilateral “Zusanli” (ST 36) and “Sanyinjiao” (SP 6), once daily for 21 days (with 3 days’ interval between every two weeks). Learning-memory ability was determined by Morris water maze tests, and SOD activity and MDA concentration in the brain tissues were detected by xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbiturif acid method, respectively.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the escape latencies at time-points of day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Morris water maze tests were significantly longer, the target platform crossing times were markedly fewer and the target platform quadrant staying time obviously shorter, cerebral SOD activity was considerably decreased, and cerebral MDA content remarkably increased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Following acupuncture intervention, the escape latencies at time-points of day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were significantly decreased, both target platform crossing times and staying time, and cerebral SOD activity were apparently increased, as well as cerebral MDA level was markedly lowered in comparison with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture intervention can improve the learning-memory ability in CFS rats, which may be related to its effect in regulating metabolism of free radicals in the brain tissues.

Source: Liu CZ, Lei B. Effect of acupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and cerebral superoxide dismutase activity and malonaldehyde concentration in chronic fatigue syndrome rats.Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2013 Dec;38(6):478-81. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24588031

Effects of a Chinese traditional formula Kai Xin San (KXS) on chronic fatigue syndrome mice induced by forced wheel running

Abstract:

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In traditional medicine, Kai Xin San (KXS), composed of ginseng (Panax ginseng), hoelen (Wolfiporia cocos), polygala (Polygala tenuifolia) and Acorus gramineus, is famous for the treatment of emotion-thought disease, such as settling fright, quieting the spirit and nourishing the heart.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the effect of KXS on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) mice induced by forced wheel running.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy two healthy adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups: home cage control group, CFS group, CFS group with Modafinil treatment at 13 mg/kg/d doge, KXS treatment at 175 mg/kg/d, 350 mg/kg/d and 700 mg/kg/d doge. CFS mice were induced by forced wheel running with higher speed for 4 weeks and then taken an exhausted exercise. The biochemical parameters including serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), serum testosterone (T), liver glycogen (LG), muscle glycogen (MG) and muscle lactic acid (MLA) were determined by using commercially available kits. The splenocytes proliferation from mice was examined by MTT method. The levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) secreted by splenocytes were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS: CFS mice with KXS administration exhibited less electric shock time when compared with CFS group without drug treatment. The effect of KXS has after demonstrated reduction in SUN, LDH and MLA levels and an increase in T, LG and MG levels. CFS mice with KXS could improve the proliferation of splenocytes compared with CFS group without drug treatment. The cultured splenocytes from CFS mice without KXS supplementation produced more interleukin-2 (IL-2) but less interleukin-4 (IL-4) when compared with home cage control mice. The cultured splenocytes of CFS mice with KXS supplementation produced more interleukin-2 (IL-2) but less interleukin-4 (IL-4) when compared with CFS group without drug treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study provide evidence that KXS could ameliorate CFS by affecting the physiological markers for fatigue. This study also supported the use of KXS against CFS by improving the proliferation of splenocytes from CFS mice and modulating the disturbance of cytokines induced by CFS.

Source: Cao Y, Hu Y, Liu P, Zhao HX, Zhou XJ, Wei YM. Effects of a Chinese traditional formula Kai Xin San (KXS) on chronic fatigue syndrome mice induced by forced wheel running. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Jan 6;139(1):19-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.08.030. Epub 2011 Aug 22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21884774

Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates behavioral and biochemical deficits in rat model of load-induced chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with unknown pathogenesis and etiology, characterized by tiredness, difficulty in concentration and memory, and concomitant skeletal and muscular pain, thus affecting both mental and physical domains. The pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome is multifactorial and involves increased oxido-nitrosative stress along with generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α.

In the present study chronic fatigue was produced in rats by plunging a load of 10 ± 2% body weight and subjecting them to forced swim inside a rectangular jar daily for 28 days. Endurance capacity and post-swim fatigue were assessed on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days. EGCG was administered daily by oral gavage 30 min before forced swim session. On the 29th day, after assessment of various behavioral parameters, blood was collected through tail vein, and animals were sacrificed to harvest the brains, spleens and thymus.

Chronic fatigue group exhibited significant behavioral alterations along with enhanced oxido-nitrosative stress and serum TNF-α level as compared to naive group. Chronic treatment with EGCG restored all the behavioral and biochemical alterations associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. The present study signifies the therapeutic potential of EGCG for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Source: Sachdeva AK, Kuhad A, Chopra K. Epigallocatechin gallate ameliorates behavioral and biochemical deficits in rat model of load-induced chronic fatigue syndrome. Brain Res Bull. 2011 Oct 10;86(3-4):165-72. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.007. Epub 2011 Jul 28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21821105

Activity in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system on experimental induction of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Changes in the activity of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system (HHACS) were studied in an experimental model of chronic fatigue syndrome induced by i.p. administration of synthetic doublestranded RNA (polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid, Poly I:C) at a dose of 3 mg/kg.

Functional changes in the different components of the HHACS were detected using standard tests with i.p. ACTH or hydrocortisone on the background of cold stress and injections of Poly I:C. Single doses of Poly I:C were followed by the development of impairments to HHACS function, with decreases in the ACTH sensitivity of adrenal cells and suppression of the negative feedback mechanism, resulting in significant decreases in corticosterone concentrations in standard tests with administration of ACTH and hydrocortisone.

Source: Fomicheva EE, Filatenkova TA, Rybakina EG. Activity in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical system on experimental induction of chronic fatigue syndrome. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2010 Mar;40(3):245-50. doi: 10.1007/s11055-010-9250-3. Epub 2010 Feb 10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20146018

Activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by induction of experimental chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Changes in the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis were investigated in experimental model of chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS) induced by intraperitoneal administration of synthetic double-stranded RNA (polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid, Poly I : C) to rats in the dose of 3 mg/kg body weight. In order to reveal functional changes in different links of the HPA axis, standard probes with intraperitoneal administration of ACTH and hydrocortisone against the background of cold stress application and Poly I : C injections were performed. A single injection of Poly I : C led to disordered HPA axis functions which was manifested by decreased sensitivity of the cells in the adrenal gland in response to ACTH, and suppression of the mechanism of negative feedback resulting in significant fall of corticosterone concentration in standard assays with ACTH and hydrocortisone administration.

Source: Fomicheva EE, Filatenkova TA, Rybakina EG. Activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by induction of experimental chronic fatigue syndrome. Ross Fiziol Zh Im I M Sechenova. 2009 Jan;95(1):11-8. [Article in Russian] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19323439

Increased production of interleukin-6 by adherent and non-adherent mononuclear cells during ‘natural fatigue’ but not following ‘experimental fatigue’ in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

In an investigator-blinded study, adherent (monocytes) and non-adherent cells (lymphocytes) from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were examined on two separate occasions (when feeling ‘fatigued’ and when feeling ‘rested’) for in vitro spontaneous, phytohemagglutinin- (PHA, for lymphocytes), and lipopolysaccharide- (LPS, for monocytes) induced production of IL-6 by ELISA assay.

A group of CFS patients and controls were also subjected to exercise-induced fatigue (‘experimental fatigue’) and IL-6 production was compared, in a double-blinded manner, prior to and following induction of fatigue.

A significant increase in spontaneous, PHA- and LPS-induced IL-6 secretion by both lymphocytes and monocytes was observed in CFS patients during ‘natural fatigue’ as compared to during state. However, no such changes in IL-6 production were observed during ‘experimental fatigue’.

These data suggest a role of IL-6 in natural symptomatology and perhaps in the pathogenesis of CFS. In addition, the data demonstrate that laboratory-induced fatigue (experimental fatigue) may not be a good model to study immunological changes in CFS; immunological parameters should be studied in a longitudinal manner during the natural course of the disease.

Source: Gupta S, Aggarwal S, Starr A. Increased production of interleukin-6 by adherent and non-adherent mononuclear cells during ‘natural fatigue’ but not following ‘experimental fatigue’ in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Int J Mol Med. 1999 Feb;3(2):209-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9917531