Tag: free radicals

Molecular Hydrogen as a Medical Gas for the Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Possible Efficacy Based on a Literature Review

Abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disorder that is characterized by fatigue that persists for more than 6 months, weakness, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction.

There are multiple possible etiologies for ME/CFS, among which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in abnormal energy metabolism.

The potential of many substances for the treatment of ME/CFS has been examined; however, satisfactory outcomes have not yet been achieved. The development of new substances for curative, not symptomatic, treatments is desired.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction by scavenging hydroxyl radicals, the most potent oxidant among reactive oxygen species.

Animal experiments and clinical trials reported that H2 exerted ameliorative effects on acute and chronic fatigue. Therefore, we conducted a literature review on the mechanism by which H2 improves acute and chronic fatigue in animals and healthy people and showed that the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction by H2 may be involved in the ameliorative effects.

Although further clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of H2 gas in ME/CFS, our literature review suggested that H2 gas may be an effective medical gas for the treatment of ME/CFS.

Source: Shin-ichi Hirano, Yusuke Ichikawa, Bunpei Sato, Yoshiyasu Takefuji and Fumitake Satoh. Molecular Hydrogen as a Medical Gas for the Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Possible Efficacy Based on a Literature Review. Front. Neurol., 11 April 2022  https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.841310 (Full text)

Effect of acupuncture on serum malonaldehyde content, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in chronic fatigue syndrome rats

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen free radical metabolism in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10), model group (n = 10) and acupuncture group (n = 10). CFS model was established by repeated suspension (1.0-2.5 h) and forced cold water swimming (7 min), once daily continuously for 12 days. For rats in the acupuncture group, bilateral “Zusanli” (ST 36) and “Sanyinjiao” (SP 6) were stimulated by manipulating the acupuncture needles intermittently for 20 min, once daily, and with 7 days being a treatment course. The treatment was conducted for three courses with an interval of 3 days between two courses. Serum malonaldehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity were detected by thiobarbituric acid chromatometry (TBA), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), respectively.

RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, serum MDA content was up-regulated significantly, while serum SOD activity and GSH-PX activity were decreased considerably in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, serum MDA level was down-regulated apparently, and serum SOD activity and GSH-PX activity were up-regulated remarkably in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can adjust metabolism of serum oxygen free radicals in CFS rats, which probably contributes to its effect in relieving CFS in clinic.

 

Source: Liu CZ, Lei B. Effect of acupuncture on serum malonaldehyde content, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in chronic fatigue syndrome rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2012 Feb;37(1):38-40, 58. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22574567

 

Effect of Tuina on oxygen free radicals metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Tuina for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

METHODS: A total of 90 patients were randomly divided into a Tuina group, a Taijiquan (take exercise) group and a Fluoxetine group, 30 cases in each group. They were treated with Tuina, Taijiquan and Fluoxetine, respectively. After a month, the therapeutic effects and the changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of serum superoxide dismutases (SOD) and serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were observed.

RESULTS: The total effective rate of 93.3% (28/30) in the Tuina group was better than 80.0% (24/30) in the Taijiquan group and 73.3% (22/30) in the Fluoxetine group (both P < 0.05). After treatment, MDA contents in the three groups were all decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the activity of SOD. GSH-Px in both the Tuina group and the Fluoxetine group were increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and especially in the Tuina group with a significant difference as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of the Tuina group is superior to that of the Taijiquan group and the Fluoxetine group. Tuina can regulate oxygen free radicals metabolism and clean superfluous oxygen free radicals to alleviate fatigue, which may be one of the mechanisms of Tuina in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Liu CZ, Lei B. Effect of Tuina on oxygen free radicals metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010 Nov;30(11):946-8. [Article in Chinese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21246855

 

Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis

Abstract:

The isoprenoid pathway was assessed in 15 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. The pathway was also assessed in individuals with differing hemispheric dominance to assess whether hemispheric dominance had any correlation with these disease states.

The isoprenoid metabolites–digoxin, dolichol, and ubiquinone–RBC membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity, serum magnesium and tyrosine/tryptophan catabolic patterns were assessed. The free-radical metabolism, glycoconjugate metabolism, and RBC membrane composition was also assessed. Membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity and serum magnesium levels were decreased while HMG CoA reductase activity and serum digoxin levels were increased in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). There were increased levels of tryptophan catabolites–nicotine, strychnine, quinolinic acid, and serotonin–and decreased levels of tyrosine catabolites–dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine in ME. There was an increase in dolichol levels, carbohydrate residues of glycoproteins, glycolipids, total/individual GAG fractions, and lysosomal enzymes in ME. Reduced levels of ubiquinone, reduced glutathione, and free-radical scavenging enzymes, as well as increased lipid peroxidation products and nitric oxide, were noticed in ME.

The biochemical patterns in ME correlated with those obtained in right hemispheric chemical dominance. The role of hypothalamic digoxin and neurotransmitter induced immune activation, altered glycoconjugate metabolism, and resultant defective viral antigen presentation, NMDA excitotoxicity and cognitive dysfunction, and mitochondrial dysfunction related myalgia in the pathogenesis of ME is stressed. ME occurs in individuals with right hemispheric chemical dominance.

 

Source: Kurup RK, Kurup PA. Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Int J Neurosci. 2003 May;113(5):683-701. https://ammes.orgwp-admin/post-new.php

 

Free radicals in chronic fatigue syndrome: cause or effect?

Abstract:

We have demonstrated that certain morphological and biochemical changes occur in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These changes in RA can be explained by the well-established inappropriate increase in free radical generation. The similar changes in CFS suggest a similar explanation and a possible role for free radicals in the aetiology of this condition.

 

Source: Richards RS, Roberts TK, Dunstan RH, McGregor NR, Butt HL. Free radicals in chronic fatigue syndrome: cause or effect? Redox Rep. 2000;5(2-3):146-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10939298

 

Blood parameters indicative of oxidative stress are associated with symptom expression in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Full blood counts, ESR, CRP, haematinics and markers for oxidative stress were measured for 33 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 27 age and sex matched controls. All participants also completed symptom questionnaires. CFS patients had increases in malondialdehyde (P <0.006), methaemoglobin (P <0.02), mean erythrocyte volume (P <0.02) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (P <0.04) compared with controls.

Multiple regression analysis found methaemoglobin to be the principal component that differentiated between CFS patients and control subjects. Methaemoglobin was found to be the major component associated with variation in symptom expression in CFS patients (R(2) = 0.99, P <0.00001), which included fatigue, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain and sleep disturbance. Variation in levels of malondialdehyde and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate were associated with variations in cognitive symptoms and sleep disturbance (R(2) = 0.99, P <0.00001).

These data suggest that oxidative stress due to excess free radical formation is a contributor to the pathology of CFS and was associated with symptom presentation.

 

Source: Richards RS, Roberts TK, McGregor NR, Dunstan RH, Butt HL. Blood parameters indicative of oxidative stress are associated with symptom expression in chronic fatigue syndrome. Redox Rep. 2000;5(1):35-41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10905542