Tag: oxidative stress

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

 

Effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants in a mouse model of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by persistent and relapsing fatigue, often accompanied by numerous symptoms involving various body systems. The etiology of CFS remains unclear; however, a number of studies have shown that oxidative stress may be involved in its pathogenesis. In the present study, a mouse model of CFS was used in which mice were forced to swim for one 6-minute session on each day for 15 days and the immobility period was recorded.

There was a significant increase in immobility period in saline-treated mice on successive days. Intraperitoneal treatment with the potent antioxidants carvedilol (5 mg/kg) and melatonin (5 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in immobility period. Similar results were observed with herbal preparations administered orally: Withania somnifera (100 mg/kg), quercetin (50 mg/kg), and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L., 10 mg/kg). Biochemical analysis revealed that chronic swimming significantly induced lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels in the brains of mice. The rats also showed decreased levels of antioxidant defense enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase. Co-administration of antioxidants carvedilol, melatonin, W. somnifera, quercetin or St. John’s wort significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and restored the GSH levels decreased by chronic swimming in mice. Further, the treatment increased levels of SOD in the forebrain and of catalase.

The findings strongly suggest that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of CFS and that antioxidants could be useful in the treatment of CFS.

 

Source: Singh A, Naidu PS, Gupta S, Kulkarni SK. Effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants in a mouse model of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Med Food. 2002 Winter;5(4):211-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12639396

 

Relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and blood markers of oxidative stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

In 21 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) versus 20 normal subjects, we investigated the oxidant/antioxidant balance and its correlation with muscle symptoms. Patients versus controls showed significantly: lower Lag Phase and Vitamin E (Vit E) concentrations in plasma and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), higher LDL thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), higher fatigue and lower muscle pain thresholds to electrical stimulation.

A significant direct linear correlation was found between fatigue and TBARS, thresholds and Lag Phase, thresholds and Vit E in plasma and LDL. A significant inverse linear correlation was found between fatigue and Lag Phase, fatigue and Vit E, thresholds and TBARS. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses are related to the extent of symptomatology in CFS, suggesting that antioxidant supplementation might relieve muscle symptoms in the syndrome.

 

Source: Vecchiet J, Cipollone F, Falasca K, Mezzetti A, Pizzigallo E, Bucciarelli T, De Laurentis S, Affaitati G, De Cesare D, Giamberardino MA. Relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and blood markers of oxidative stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Neurosci Lett. 2003 Jan 2;335(3):151-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12531455

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: oxidative stress and dietary modifications

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by persistent and relapsing fatigue, often accompanied by numerous symptoms involving various body systems. The etiology of CFS remains unclear; however, a number of recent studies have shown oxidative stress may be involved in its pathogenesis. The role of oxidative stress in CFS is an important area for current and future research as it suggests the use of antioxidants in the management of CFS.

Specifically, the dietary supplements glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, Ginkgo biloba, and Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) may be beneficial. In addition, research on food intolerance is discussed, since food intolerance may be involved in CFS symptom presentation and in oxidation via cytokine induction.

Finally, recent evidence suggests celiac disease can present with neurological symptoms in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms; therefore, celiac disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of CFS.

 

Source: Logan AC, Wong C. Chronic fatigue syndrome: oxidative stress and dietary modifications. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Oct;6(5):450-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11703165

 

Antioxidant status and lipoprotein peroxidation in chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The aetiology and pathogenesis of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are still largely unresolved. Accompanying metabolic disorders such as selective n-6 fatty acid depletion suggest that oxidative stress and more specifically lipid peroxidation might play a role in its pathogenesis.

In order to investigate this hypothesis, oxidant-antioxidant status and its impact on lipoprotein peroxidation in vitro was examined in 61 patients with unexplained fatigue lasting more than 1 month. They were subdivided into 2 groups: group CFS+ (33 subjects) fulfilled the 1988 Center of Disease Control criteria for CFS and group CFS- did not but was similar as regards age, sex distribution and clinical characteristics.

Antioxidant status was similar in the 2 groups except for lower serum transferrin in the CFS + (mean (95 % CI) 2.41 (2.28-2.54) versus 2.73 (2.54-2.92) g/L in the CFS-, p = 0.009) and higher lipoprotein peroxidation in vitro: 6630 (5949-7312) versus 5581 (4852-6310) nmol MDA/mg LDL and VLDL cholesterol x minutes, p = 0.035). CFS intensified the influence of LDL cholesterol (p = 0.012) and of transferrin (p = 0.045) on peroxidation in vitro, suggesting additional pro-oxidant effects.

These results indicate that patients with CFS have increased susceptibility of LDL and VLDL to copper-induced peroxidation and that this is related both to their lower levels of serum transferrin and to other unidentified pro-oxidising effects of CFS.

 

Source: Manuel y Keenoy B, Moorkens G, Vertommen J, De Leeuw I. Antioxidant status and lipoprotein peroxidation in chronic fatigue syndrome. Life Sci. 2001 Mar 16;68(17):2037-49. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11388705

 

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

 

Magnesium status and parameters of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic fatigue: effects of supplementation with magnesium

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Magnesium deficiency and oxidative stress have both been identified as pathogenic factors in aging and in several age-related diseases. The link between these two factors is unclear in humans although, in experimental animals, severe Mg deficiency has been shown to lead to increased oxidative stress.

METHODS: The relationship between Mg body stores, dietary intakes and supplements on the one hand and parameters of the oxidant-antioxidant balance on the other was investigated in human subjects.

RESULTS: The study population consisted of 93 patients with unexplained chronic fatigue (median age 38 years, 25% male, 16% smokers and 54% with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Mg deficient patients (47%) had lower total antioxidant capacity in plasma (p=0.007) which was related to serum albumin. Mg deficient patients whose Mg body stores did not improve after oral supplementation with Mg (10 mg/kg/day) had persistently lower blood glutathione levels (p=0.003). In vitro production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by non-HDL lipoproteins incubated with copper was related to serum cholesterol (p<0.001) but not to Mg or antioxidants and did not improve after Mg supplementation. In contrast, velocity of formation of fluorescent products of peroxidation (slope) correlated with serum vitamin E (p<0.001), which was, in turn, related to Mg dietary intakes. Both slope and serum vitamin E improved after Mg supplementation (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the lower antioxidant capacity found in moderate Mg deficiency was not due to a deficit in Mg dietary intakes and was not accompanied by increased lipid susceptibility to in vitro peroxidation. Nevertheless, Mg supplementation was followed by an improvement in Mg body stores, in serum vitamin E and its interrelated stage of lipid peroxidation.

 

Source: Manuel y Keenoy B, Moorkens G, Vertommen J, Noe M, Nève J, De Leeuw I. Magnesium status and parameters of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic fatigue: effects of supplementation with magnesium. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Jun;19(3):374-82. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10872900

 

Physiologic measurement of exercise and fatigue with special reference to chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Oxidative metabolism is the major source of energy for muscle activity, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), the product of maximal cardiac output and maximal arteriovenous oxygen difference, indicates individual capacity for oxidative metabolism and performance of exercise by the large muscles.

Strength, a function of muscle cross-sectional area, motor-unit recruitment, and neuromuscular coordination, is the ability to develop force in a single, brief, maximal-effort voluntary contraction of rested muscle. Weakness is a diminished ability of rested muscle to exert maximal force. Fatigue is a loss of maximal force-generating capacity that develops during muscular activity, likely originates within muscle itself, and persists until muscle is fully recovered. Individual perception of motor effort can be determined with standardized rating scales.

These concepts are discussed in detail, their relevance to the pathophysiology of exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome is analyzed, and a general strategy of exercise evaluation pertinent to chronic fatigue syndrome is presented.

 

Source: Lewis SF, Haller RG. Physiologic measurement of exercise and fatigue with special reference to chronic fatigue syndrome. Rev Infect Dis. 1991 Jan-Feb;13 Suppl 1:S98-108. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2020810